Pokot, Marakwet Raiders Using Guns From Sudan

The East African Standard (Nairobi)

NAIROBI, Dec 02, 2033 — Cabinet Minister Linah Kilimo yesterday blamed constant conflict between the Pokots and the Marakwets on political instability in the Sudan.

Kilimo said the civil war in that country had led to the infiltration of illicit arms into the country, which the two communities were using.

Kilimo, who is a Minister in the Office of the Vice-President and Ministry of Home Affairs and National Heritage, said she was elected on the premise of ending the conflict between the communities, which Kanu had failed to contain.

“My Marakwets fought their neighbouring Pokots and they continue to fight because of the political instability in the neighbouring country of Sudan,” the Minister said.

She said she had tried to ensure peace among the communities in the Keiyo Valley because women and children were the biggest victims.

She was speaking at the official opening of 2003 Regional Exchange Institute workshop at the Silver Springs Hotel, Nairobi. The theme of the meeting was “Women building peace and good neighbourliness in the Great Lakes Region”.

The minister said the Government would support policies that uplift the status of women and cited the establishment of the Ministry dealing with gender.

“Currently, discussions are under way towards the establishment of a Gender Commission which will harness the various contributions of women and make their place in overall development of the country more visible”, the minister said.