Cell: REPORT COMPILED BY: Amb.Rev John M. Mathenge Director programs GLOVEPA

Transcription

1 THE GLOBAL VETERANS FOUNDATION DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS REV J.M MATHENGE WITH THE PEACE TORCH AT AMAYA FRANKED BY DC SAMBURU ON 10 th DECEMBER 2010 DURING CELEBRATIONS OF ONE YEAR OF PEACE CARAVAN IN THE LARGER LAIKIPIA. REPORT COMPILED BY: Amb.Rev John M. Mathenge Director programs GLOVEPA Cell:

2 Acronyms and Abbreviations DAI Development Alternatives Incorporated DC District Commissioner DPC District Peace Committee GOTV Get out The Vote IDP Internally Displaced Persons MP Member of Parliament PA Provincial Administration PC Provincial Commissioner PPF Provincial Peace Forum USAID United States Agency for International Development AO Administration Officer 2

3 Background Information Project Background Laikipia West was among the regions that experienced destruction of property and loss of life during the 2008 Post Election Violence in Kenya. To mitigate politically-motivated violence, Provincial Peace Forum (PPF), Rift Valley Province through the support of the USAID/DAI has facilitated intercommunity dialogue to peacefully address conflicts in their midst. The most recent process of celebrating one year of peace in the larger Laikipia is aimed at ensuring that peace message is reinforced and used to bring together the Pokots, Turkanas and Samburus to embrace peace after the referendum. Project Objectives: The Objectives of the Peace Caravan are to: a. To encourage communities to live peacefully and continue to dialogue and to preserve peace. b. Peaceful and non-violent disarmament of the pastoralists. Anticipated Outcomes a. Deepened dialogue and peaceful coexistence b. Voluntary surrender of illegal arms by the morans. CAUSES OF THE GROUND ENGAGEMENT The recent most grievous Samburu Pokot conflict is the Kanampiu Massacre in which the Pokots attacked the Samburus at 5am. The attack led to the loss of lives for women and children and over 40 Pokots back in The Laikipia Peace Caravan is traceable to this incident where by the Professionals from Samburu, Turkana and Pokots came together to facilitate dialogue among their people towards amicably resolving disputes in their midst. This birthed the fervent involvement of professionals and Provincial Peace Forum (PPF), The Peace Cop and other CSOs in peace processes and promoting civic engagement in local, regional and National peace and cohesion process. OBJECTIVES OF THE GROUND CONSULTATIVE MEETINGS Bonding and interaction between the caravan and other peace stakeholders Sensitize all the peace stake holders, opinion leaders and others to understand the fruits of the Peace Caravan in the larger Laikipia after one year since inauguration. 3

4 Share experiences from the grassroots peace stakeholders and inform them to continue and reach other people at the grass root level for the sake of security and development. Inform the participants of the most important activity of celebrating peace in the larger Laikipia. Introduction The chief guest of the day: PC Rift Valley Mr. Osman Warfa Members of Parliament present: Hon Lesrima - Samburu Hon Leshomo - Samburu Hon Nderitu Mureithi - Laikipia West The meeting started at 10:00 and all the participants assembled at Amaya Grounds, all the invited participants were present with all levels of Laikipia society well represented these are: Provincial Peace Forum Coordinator Mr. S.N. Musumba and Mr. Lazarus Kubasu (ARD). The administration- DCs from Laikipia west, East Pokot and Samburu Districts. Civic leaders from East Pokot and Samburu District peace committees from various locations of the Larger Laikipia. NGO/CSO s and other organizations representatives. Youth representatives. Gender was also observed. The chair of the day took the participants through an introduction of first the caravan members to show the participants the composition of the team with representation from all the communities from other peace caravans running in several regions of the country, these are: 1. Kuria Peace Caravan 2. Molo- Kuresoi Peace Caravan 3. Eldoret Peace Caravan 4. Elgeiyo Peace Caravan 5. North Eastern Peace Caravan The caravan understands and recognizes that all people in all social structures are all peace stakeholders; the caravan has no vested interests like the political and other self interests. Members are volunteers. 4

5 ACHIEVEMENTS The theme of celebrating the Peace Caravan for the Larger Laikipia was Amani Milele meaning peace forever. The chair referred to the current peaceful situation now enjoyed by many communities and recognized the contributing factors to the success of the caravans activities that is -the good model that has been replicated in other caravans all over the republic. He recognized the effort of all other stakeholders and mainly community members from the grassroots who are engaged in peace initiatives and urged them to come on-board and embrace the caravans model. CIP Mark Lereruk receives the peace torch and hands it over to the Provincial Commissioner Mr. Osman Warfa, EBS at Amaya Grounds on 10 th December

6 Testimonies There were testimonies from community members: 1. Samburu Elder Mr. Lesorogol is a member of the Samburu community and an elder; he is among those who embraced dialogue in Lorola Manyata. First he commended the caravan team that contributed fully towards permanent peace between the Samburu and Pokot communities who have been fighting for the last six years, he confessed that there are no more cattle rustling between the two communities and that both do interact by visiting each other, the Samburu can now walk freely to Lonyek Churo and even Tangulbie markets while Pokot do move to the Olmoran, Survey and Rumuruti market. 2. Pokot Moran The Pokot moran was grateful for the work that the caravan has done and that they are now enjoying the fruits of peaceful coexistence between them and the Samburu community he also confirmed that nowadays women and children no longer have fear they freely move from their home areas to Samburu areas and even spend nights in Samburu areas of Lorola. Having had peace he challenged the three communities Turkana, Samburu and pokot to shurn retrogressive practices and concentrate on educating their children for them to have the same opportunities that are there and never go back again to violence and outdated cultural practices that that have changed their mindset on many issues that have made them blind on liberation. He requested the Provincial commissioner who was the chief guest to give the morans an opportunity to tour other developed regions and even spend nights in some of the big hotels in the country. 3. Samburu Youth The Samburu youth first commended the good work done by the caravan for bringing real peace between Pokots and Samburus that they can now trust each other despite isolated cases of cattle theft. He urged the Government to rehabilitate the few deserted schools in that region and build roads and infrastructure. 6

7 The Provincial Commissioner Mr. Osman Warfa, EBS while addressing the meeting at Amaya Grounds cautioned the chiefs and assistant chiefs who were not working for peace and engaging in crime to leave the Government. He said that he would not spare those supporting cattle rustling and other forms of crime in their jurisdictions. He told the participants that use of gun and other illegal armaments were doing them a lot of harm and development can only be realized where there is peace. He promised to support all development activities in the area and requested the District Commissioners to supplement the Governments efforts of ensuring that children from the affected regions attend school without interruptions and support where need be. He agreed to sponsor morans from both communities to tour other regions as part of culture exchange programs and part of peace building. 7

8 Politicians As politician when we talk in mother tongue when addressing the public we send the wrong signals which is the main cause of inter communal conflict so let s keep off hate speech. Way forward After the testimonies from the different community members, the chair of the day took over and informed the participants the main agenda of the forum he also urged them to be Ambassadors of Peace during this historic moment in the Larger Laikipia through peace Caravan and live peacefully with each other. 8

9 A SUMMARY OF LAIKIPIA PEACE CARAVAN TO MARK ONE YEAR OF PEACE Date Venue Achievements Challenges Remarks 10 th December201 0 Amaya Grounds There was good reception. There were positive testimonies about the work of the caravan. Poor road network that led to delay of arrival time by the team. People understood the need for peace in the region and education for their children to change culture practices. Since the process started at Nyahururu through Kinamba, Sipili, Olmoran, Lonyek to Amaya which is in East Pokot district has seen trade between the Samburu and the Pokots. The PC presented a peace torch to the present politicians who handed it to both communities with jubilant. The Mwenge wa Amani came from Kenya Veterans for Peace and handed to PC by PPF and Peace Cop. Destruction of the roads by the heavy rain. Good reception by Kinamba/Sipili boda boda youth for peace riding over twenty motorcycles. The morans agreed to voluntary surrender illegally acquired arms for viable youth projects Solicit for funds to buy motorbikes and bicycles and launch boda boda projects for the youth and tapping talents. The residents need a lot of sensitization in future activities 9