New IDPs in Mochongoi Catholic church Unsecure

Another wave of violence, destruction and lose of life was being witnessed as parties and coalitions went for nominations across the country. The number of displaced people has sworn to some 392 people of Tugen origin taking refuge in the neighbourhood in fear of the brutal attack executed by the Pokot people in and around the neirghbours of  Baringo county.

Mochongoi Catholic Mission is one of the last parishes of Nyahururu diocese bordering Nakuru diocese and maralal to some extend. It is under Laikipia county that borders Baringo and Samburu counties. Parts of the population are living in both counties. The tension that had been sparked by the murder of two children by the Pokot Morans has escalated in the last one week.

  The peace talks that had been called to avert the disaster have yielded to violence as Pokot ethnic community clashed with the Tugens making them retreat 4km to the mountains outside their homes.  Further, the Pokots, well armed with superior weapons, invaded the Kasera village where escaping Tugens had been accommodated by relatives and burned their homesteads; beat up men and women, children and adults without discrimination.

One week after, the situation is rather unstable, the IDPs are afraid of more attacks as their enemy is already aware of their hiding place.  The Red Cross came, assessed but are still to come.  Thanks to St Martins, Nyahururu Catholic Diocese and the local Christian communities and groups that have responded positively to the aid.

The government ‘bus’ is doing very little to settle the matter.  The administration is not feeling the responsibility.  Talking to the DC at Maringat he was rather rude in response -  “Father, I never come to direct you how to do your mass, so let me do my job”.  Such response at whichever circumstances closes any dialogue.  I wanted to share with him my findings and provide my opinion and suggestion on a way forward. 

The situation is rather hostile to the Tugens. One wonders why such a thing had to happen at the time people are going to nominate their favourite candidates. Further it beats any reason that the Pokots have done it again just a few months from another episode in Ol Moran surroundings. The elders in a meeting confessed that the attacks were organized by the Morans, their children without their permission.

In such an episode, it implies that they are unable to tame them. Thus, once the community security system does not deter crime, does the government not have alternative mechanisms? Time again when the State system does not enter into solving the matter, we will have given the Pokots the green card to pursue their agenda. They will pride themselves as accomplishers to which it will be hard to be controlled at the end. It is the time that the elder’s diplomacy is avoided and legal justice be done to the rogue ethnic communities. 

Laikipia county is famous for its traditional animal rustling and resource management differences. It is alleged that search for pasture, economic resources, property ownership are the main issues for violence and destruction that are constantly witnessed. But it is so clear to me that apart from the political instigation there is a great indiscipline and crime plots hidden in the name of Tradition, Culture, Moranism and other things.

What used to be a value has been abused and turned to become a disservice to humanity. Elders councils that in old days had role of genuine arbitration to protect harmony and promote peace has now been influenced politically and are no longer upholding the dignity of humanity, unity, respect for life, honour for creator but rather an owe some allegiance to tribe, family gains, political fame and economic gains.

This kind of scenario does not recognize others and is fast leading a country to disintegration. In as much we respect the role of elders, a limit must be set to block the self centered ones, who through personal whims are inflicting pain to our country.

Fr. Makau Nicholas, imc