This archive report was first published on 3 January 2020.
January 3, 2020
Leaders from the Marakwet and Pokot communities in Kapsait, Elgeyo Marakwet County, have marked 22 years of peace along the border with West Pokot County.
The area was once plagued by cross-border attacks and cattle theft in the 1990s, but peace returned in 1997 following a truce negotiated by the late Bishop Cornelius Korir of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret.
According to Governor Alex Tolgos, the peace was realised after locals, under Bishop Korir's stewardship, held meetings and decided to end the bloodletting.
Since 1998, the communities have held annual prayers on January 1 to cement their relationship.
Speaking at the ceremony, Catholic Bishop Maurice Crowley of Kitale Diocese and his Lodwar counterpart Dominic Kimengich, who is set to be inaugurated as the Catholic Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret next month, reiterated the importance of peace in the region.
Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, Deputy Governor Wisley Rotich, Marakwet West MP William Kisang, Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly Speaker Kiplagat Sabulei, and other MCAs from both communities attended the annual peace prayers.
