Rift Valley Clerics Call for Government Action Against Banditry and Land Conflict

Clerics from the Rift Valley region are calling on the government to pursue legal action against political figures implicated in promoting banditry. Representatives from the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) and the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops (KCCB) voiced their concerns about the escalating banditry despite the presence of security forces, emphasizing the need for further intervention.

“While security forces were deployed last year, the situation remains dire, with continued loss of life, cattle rustling, and property damage,” the interfaith coalition remarked in a joint statement.

The coalition urged swift government action against individuals, including political leaders, involved in criminal activities. Additionally, they emphasized the importance of establishing peace committees and fostering a strong police-public trust to enhance collaboration between authorities, security agencies, and the community in combating banditry.

“We stress the importance of cultivating police-public trust to bolster cooperation and intelligence-sharing,” the coalition emphasized.

The clerics also called on the government to address the ongoing land conflict in Transmara, which poses a significant security threat.

“In Transmara, insecurity persists, and we implore the government to bolster security measures in the region,” the clergy asserted.

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