Church decries insecurity on Turkana-West Pokot border

The Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) has urged the government and political leaders to prioritise resolving persistent insecurity along the Turkana–West Pokot border, where deadly attacks continue to claim lives.

RCEA cleric and North Rift NCCK vice chair Rev Samson Akoru said killings and destruction of property remain common, with cases reported almost every month.

He warned that the unrest has disrupted learning in schools along the border and stalled key development activities.

“We must ask ourselves who benefits or loses from this insecurity. While other Kenyans enjoy peace and development, we are busy killing ourselves,” Rev Akoru said.

He accused some politicians from both communities of exploiting the conflict for political gain by inciting residents or promising to “deal with” rival groups in exchange for votes.

“Security is the government’s mandate. Politicians should be preaching peace and unity, not using violence for self-advancement,” he said.

Rev Akoru said the church is championing dialogue among leaders and communities, urging them to address the root causes of conflict.

“Our leaders should sit at the dialogue table and tackle what fuels these clashes,” he said, further calling for an end to cattle rustling, which he described as primitive and retrogressive.

The border has witnessed frequent bandit attacks despite ongoing security operations. Residents have repeatedly appealed to Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen to intervene.

Kainuk MCA Daniel Aliwo also called for urgent government action, saying communities around Kainuk are living in fear as attacks escalate.

“We are calling on the government to step up surveillance so these bandit attacks are stopped,” Aliwo said.

He urged CS Murkomen to prioritise the region, similar to efforts in Kerio Valley.

“We have lost several people in recent weeks. There must be deliberate and sustained efforts to end these killings,” he said, adding that leaders are engaging the national government in the search for a lasting solution.