James Kariuki
4 November 2009
Nairobi — The dust has settled in Kanampiu, Laikipia North District, six weeks after the killing of 35 people in a clash between Pokot raiders and Samburu herdsmen.
But it should be noted that the trend in the past has been weeks, possibly months of peace before another attack shocks the country with the reminder that the problem of insecurity in the banditry-prone region occupied by the two pastoral communities is yet to be dealt with conclusively.
The attack in the wee hours of Tuesday, September 15, in which 24 Samburu men, women and children and 11 Pokot raiders were killed in a fierce gun battle, triggered a wave of accusations as to who was to blame for it all.
But the emotional tirades aside, fresh questions have emerged as to whether the massacre could have been avoided had a peace deal hammered out between the two communities three years ago been implemented conclusively.
The joint Pokot/Samburu peace and reconciliation meeting was held in October 2006 at Lake Naivasha Tourist Resort. It brought together members of the district peace committees from Samburu and Baringo East districts, political and religious leaders.
Police patrols
Besides vowing to live in peace, the communities' agreed that an administration police post be established at the exact spot where the massacre occurred and that regular police patrols be done on the Maralal-Nyahururu road.
Other clauses in the 26-point peace deal included commitment by the two communities to frequent meetings with elders and key roads connecting the two districts graded for ease of movement for security and development purposes.
"Assistant minister Asman Kamama and Baringo District Peace Committee chairman Samuel Kimakamar signed the accord on behalf of the Pokot community while assistant minister Simeon Lesrima, the then Samburu East MP Sammy Leshore and Samburu District Peace Committee Moses Lenairoshi did so for the Samburu. Who failed to heed the accord's demand for an AP post?" asks a senior police officer conversant with the details of the peace deal.
The accord, which sought to entrench peace was also witnessed by Rift Valley PC Hassan Noor on behalf of the government. He pledged to ensure the deal was adhered to by the parties.
The deal ushered in a period of calm. However, the dawn attack two months ago reversed the gains of the government's commitment to help the Pokot and Samburu communities embrace development under which children would attend school and the communities co-exist.
And as has been the case in the past, the fear of a revenge attack has engulfed those plying the 500 kilometre Rumuruti-Suguta Marmar-Maralal-Losuk-Poror-Marti-Murijo-Soitokokoyo-Baragoi road as roadside ambushes are being reported. This is being viewed as warning signs of impending attacks.
Those interviewed said the bone of contention remains the intended plans to establish the Ol Tungai conservancy at Amaiya Division in Samburu Central managed by Samburu County Council. The Pokot feel they ought to have been involved in its management.
This state of affairs cripples learning in schools with children compromised to either defend the manyattas or be part of the revenge missions - depending on whichever side they come from.
Despite introduction of the free primary education by President Kibaki, nomadic communities are yet to benefit fully as no programme has been put in place to cater for their lifestyles.
Specific timetable
While schools have a specific timetable and physical structures, pastoralists cannot fit in since their calendar follows weather patterns. During the rainy seasons, they are in their home districts but once drought sets in, they migrate to far-flung areas in search of pasture.
But an assertion by Environment minister John Michuki during his tenure at the Internal Security docket raised more questions that remain unanswered to date.
The minister said rich Samburu and Pokot families owned the large herds of cattle and bought firearms for the employees (herdsmen) who moved from district to district in search of pastures.
On reaching the lush, unoccupied pastures in Laikipia the herdsmen scramble to dominate grazing land, often leading to violent skirmishes.
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