State partners with churches to enhance peace missions in Kerio

Church leaders after receiving a donation of 120 motorcycles to help boost peace missions in Kerio Valley 

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin has distributed motorcycles to more than 120 church leaders to boost their peace missions in the North Rift region.

The move is aimed at enhancing the capacity of the church leaders to unite communities in the region that had been previously affected by banditry which destabilised peace and unity.

The government has been carrying out a disarmament exercise in affected counties of West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana, Samburu and Elgeyo Marakwet.

“We thank the government for working to restore peace in our region which is now enjoying stability for the first time in many decades,” Kachapin said.

The initiative is expected to boost outreach in remote and border areas.

The motorcycles were part a donation promised by President William Ruto during interdenominational prayers at Chesombur three weeks ago.

The bikes were distributed under the West Pokot Bishops Fellowship, which brings together all churches in the county.

Bishop David Kaseton of the AIC Church, West Pokot, said the support will significantly improve pastors’ ability to reach communities affected by insecurity and conflict.

Governor Kachapin hailed the clergy for the important work they continue to do restore peace along the border areas.

He said the government remains committed to working in partnership with the church to attain lasting peace.

In West Pokot, 43 churches will each receive a motorcycle. Additional allocations were made to neighbouring regions, with Marakwet and Baringo each receiving 25 motorcycles, Turkana 20 and Samburu five.

Kachapin said faith leaders remain key partners in peacebuilding, noting that improved mobility will allow pastors to sustain dialogue, reconciliation and cohesion efforts, particularly in hard-to-reach border areas.

He said the initiative reflects continued collaboration between the national and county governments in supporting grassroots peace initiatives.

The government has also intensified efforts to rehabilitate youth who were previously involved in banditry activities.

Kachapin said they were working as a team with his colleagues in the region to support ongoing government activities to revive stalled development projects.

The projects had stalled due to insecurity caused by banditry.