Professionals fanning conflict in Baragoi through social media, NCIC says

National Cohesion and Integration Commission chairman Francis ole Kaparo. FILE PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

In Summary

• Mr Kaparo said the professionals must immediately stop cyber-related hatred and use the same medium to preach peace.
• It was resolved that guns taken from security officers killed in Suguta Valley in 2012 be returned immediately and all stolen animals returned to their owners.

By MUCHIRI GITONGA
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Elites from Samburu and Turkana counties have been fanning conflict in Baragoi through social media, the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has said.

But the commission now wants to change the situation and turn the elites into peace ambassadors through the same medium, chairman Francis ole Kaparo said on Tuesday.

“Most of these conflicts in Samburu North are cyber-related. The elites have been posting too much hate speech and unfounded rumours on social media platforms and are very influential in their homes leading to the escalation of conflicts,” Mr Kaparo said.

He was speaking on Monday at Sportsman’s Arms hotel in Nanyuki when Turkana and Samburu leaders from Baragoi signed a peace agreement after three days of mediation.

This followed a series of cattle-rustling and bandit attacks in which several people were killed, property destroyed and hundreds cattle stolen.

Mr Kaparo said the professionals must immediately stop cyber-related hatred and use the same medium to preach peace.

The meeting resolved that guns taken from security officers killed in the Suguta Valley in 2012 be returned immediately and all stolen animals returned to their owners.

SCHOOLS REOPENING

The government was also asked to announce the reopening of all schools that had closed due to the conflict.

The leaders attributed insecurity in Samburu County to competition for county and natural resources between the two dominant communities in the region.

The meeting, mediated by Mr Kaparo and Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Osman Warfa, resolved that stringent action be taken against members of either community that breaks the ceasefire agreement.

Punishment would include double payment for any animals stolen, prosecution and a communal penalty of 50 cows for any person killed.

“The rule of law must be upheld (and) persons found culpable of crimes must be prosecuted in accordance with the law,” Mr Kaparo said.

“Individuals must be held liable for the crimes they have committed and (the crimes) must not be attributed to the entire community.”

An inclusive committee would be formed and facilitated by county and national governments to preach peace at the grassroots.