ITEN — The National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) has launched a training program for 30 peace actors from the North Rift region, aimed at combating the persistent insecurity issues in the Kerio Valley.
According to Kenya News Agency, the training is designed to arm these individuals with the skills needed to recognize threats to peace, understand the root causes of insecurity, and create effective solutions for the region plagued by conflicts.
The peace actors, hailing from Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Baringo Counties, have been given the vital responsibility of fostering peace along the Kerio Valley belt. The initiative seeks to address the conflicts that have long troubled the area, focusing on the scramble for dwindling natural resources and the exacerbating effects of climate change as primary conflict drivers. During the two-day intensive training session in Iten, Elgeyo Marakwet County, participants explored the complex socio-political dynamics of the region.
Lawrence Mutwol, the Chief Officer for Peace and Disaster Management in Elgeyo Marakwet, welcomed the initiative, noting the critical role of peace actors in enhancing grassroots-level peace. Ronald Rotich, one of the trained peace actors, highlighted the importance of community involvement in resolving security issues. "Our mandate is not just to receive training but to actively engage our communities," Rotich said. He emphasized the goal of sensitizing the public and promoting dialogue to develop sustainable solutions to the region's problems.
The program tasks these actors with organizing public sensitization forums within their communities, allowing residents to express their concerns and participate in formulating viable solutions. These grassroots efforts aim to tackle insecurity issues directly, with communities compiling memoranda to be presented to relevant authorities. The goal is to urge actionable measures on peace, climate change, and governance, striving for durable peace and stability in the Kerio Valley.
This training initiative and the ensuing community engagement activities are part of the broader "Dumisha Amani Bonde la Kerio" (Maintain Peace in the Kerio Valley) program, conducted in partnership with Tetra Tech International Development Services. This collaborative effort underlines the commitment to overcoming the complex challenges confronting the Kerio Valley region.