Efforts to restore lasting peace in banditry-prone areas along the Kerio Valley belt have gained momentum, with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) and the Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya (FPFK) raising concerns over careless political utterances threatening to undermine security gains.

The two institutions convened a peace meeting in Orwa, along the West Pokot–Turkana border, bringing together security leaders and administrators from the two counties to discuss emerging security challenges and strengthen ongoing peacebuilding initiatives.

The meeting brought together chiefs, deputy county commissioners (DCCs) and county commissioners from both counties, who deliberated on factors contributing to recurring insecurity and tensions in communities living along the volatile border areas.

Participants noted that while calm is gradually returning to some of the areas previously affected by banditry, sustaining the gains remains a major challenge, particularly amid inflammatory statements that could fuel hostility and undermine peaceful coexistence.

NCIC pledged to take action against political leaders making inciting remarks, warning that individuals found promoting hatred, division or violence would be summoned and held accountable in accordance with the law.

The commission expressed concern that some political leaders were contributing to insecurity through reckless public statements, warning that inflammatory rhetoric could easily reignite tensions between communities that have endured years of conflict, loss of lives and destruction of property.

The peace stakeholders called on political leaders from West Pokot and Turkana counties to exercise restraint in their public engagements and avoid statements that could incite communities against one another, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 General Election.

Security officials and local administrators at the meeting pledged to strengthen collaboration across the two counties, promising to work closely with community leaders and residents to identify emerging threats, address disputes and prevent conflicts before they escalate into violence.

The leaders also commended the government’s Operation Ondoa Uhalifu security initiative, saying the operation had contributed to improved security and a gradual return to normalcy in areas previously affected by banditry. They called for sustained cooperation between security agencies and local communities to consolidate the progress made.

They further urged residents to embrace dialogue, coexist peacefully and support ongoing peace initiatives, warning that lasting stability along the Kerio Valley belt would require collective responsibility beyond government security operations.