This archive report was first published on 3 August 2020.
On August 3, 2020, the Daily Nation reported on the devastating impact of ethnic clashes in the Rift Valley, where six people had been killed, homes torched, and livestock stolen in a reign of terror against innocent villagers.
These heinous crimes are not driven by ethnic differences, but rather by criminal acts perpetrated by individuals hiding behind their communities. The latest flare-up of violence has been in the Eastern Mau Forest, where such attacks have been ongoing.
Leaders have called on the communities to end the conflict and embrace peace, but this approach is insufficient. The perpetrators of these crimes must be identified, isolated, and severely punished to serve as a deterrent to crime.
Addressing the root causes of the perennial conflicts in the region is crucial. The trigger is the enduring feeling of historical land injustices that date back to colonial times. However, small incidents such as cattle thefts can blow up into full-scale ethnic conflicts.
As the land question is addressed by the leaders and the authorities, it is essential that nobody takes the law into their own hands. The people of the Rift Valley deserve justice and peace.
