Residents of Baringo and Elgeyo Marakwet counties have been urged to prioritize boychild empowerment as a critical step toward eradicating cattle rustling and border clashes that have plagued the region for years. Leaders emphasized the need for the community to enroll boys in schools and involve them in empowerment programs to steer them away from criminal activities.
Speaking at the Sammy Kiplimo Foundation Peace Tournament held in Arror, Elgeyo Marakwet, Isaac Koskei, the head of police reservists in the area, highlighted the importance of education and mentorship in combating the menace. “By empowering the boychild, we can break the cycle of cattle rustling and provide a brighter future for our youth,” Koskei said.
The peace tournament, organized in collaboration with the Elgeyo Marakwet County government and the Kenya Police Reserve, aimed to foster peace through sports. Sammy Kiplimo, the event organizer, underscored the significance of addressing three pillars: peace, climate change, and boychild empowerment. “The root causes of cattle rustling must be addressed through holistic solutions that include wealth creation opportunities for the youth,” Kiplimo stated.
Former councillor and community security committee member, John Seronei, reiterated the central role of peace in unlocking the region’s potential. “Without peace, we cannot develop or make good use of our fertile land,” Seronei said.
Religious leaders also called for more community engagement in resolving conflicts. Bishop Christopher Ruto of the Eldoret ACK Diocese emphasized the need for consultations with affected communities. “While we appreciate government efforts to curb banditry, the lasting solution lies in involving the people to foster trust and collaboration,” Bishop Ruto noted.
The leaders urged residents to embrace initiatives aimed at peacebuilding and boychild education as a pathway to sustainable development. Their remarks echo the belief that empowering the youth can dismantle the social and economic structures that perpetuate banditry in the volatile Kerio Valley region.
