Bishop Henry Juma Odonya of the catholic Diocese of Kitale and his Lodwar Diocese counterpart
Bishop John Mbinda have called on political leaders from Turkana and West Pokot counties to show
political will to unite Pokot and Turkana communities living along the borders of the two counties,
to prevent further loss of lives and livelihoods.
Speaking on Sunday 10 th March 2024 during a Cross boarder Peace Mass held at Kaninuk boarder of
Kitale and Lodwar Dioceses, Bishop Juma and Bishop Mbinda expressed great concern by the
church about the sorry state of affairs at the boarder areas and said that there is urgent need for
political leadership in the region to unite the people, show them the way to peace, stability, and
development. “We are saddened by the state of insecurity characterized by raids, attacks to
individuals, families, highway attacks, and police stations which has resulted to rape cases, deaths,
people disappearing, orphans, widows and bitterness. Some attacks take place during the day”,
read part of a statement the bishops delivered on behalf of the Kenya Conference of Catholic
Bishops (KCCB).
Prior to the Peace Mass, the two Bishops held meetings with community leaders of Pokot and
Turkana living along the boarders where some of the issues fueling cross boarder conflicts were
identified including disputed boundaries and duplication of administrative units along those
disputed boundaries, lack of proper facilitation of security personnel to handle security issues in
the area, and lack of security personnel in some areas like Loima that does not even have a police
post.
The bishops noted with a lot of concern that because of these conflicts, many children from both
counties do not go to school as stipulated in the national government education policy which states
compulsory education as a right of every child. They called on the government to ensure that these
children have access to education and education facilities. Their concern was reiterated by Turkana
South Deputy County Commissioner Mr. Gideon Ombugi who said that even spiritual leaders
including priests have to be escorted by security personnel when they go to celebrate Mass, while
agricultural activities have been brought to a halt due to such security threats.
In their statement, the Bishops thanked the government for deploying security personnel who are
doing a good job in the area, and requested the government to provide them with ample security
gears and equipment to enable them work efficiently.
They asked the government to expedite on the declaration of the boundaries between the two
counties as this will eliminate duplication of administrative units as well as enable locals to live
where they wish in conformity with the constitution.
The Bishops underscored the responsibility of the local people, including the counties leadership,
in ensuring a peaceful coexistence and asked them to maintain calm, restrict themselves from any
counter attacks, be ambassadors of peace and harmony, and refuse to be used by selfish individuals
to disrupt peace. They urged the leadership of the two counties led by Excellencies the Governors,
members of county assembly, members of parliament, and other political leaders to play their role
in fostering peace, harmony, and good neighbourhoods.
This Peace Mass was a follow-up on the Northrift Peace Initiative that was launched by KCCB,
through the Catholic Justice and Peace Department, on 3 rd July 2023, to champion and foster peace
between communities living in the North Rift Region of Kenya, covered by the dioceses of Lodwar,
Kitale, Eldoret, Nakuru, Ngong, Marsabit and Nyahururu.
The Mass which was preceded by a peace walk from Turkwel gorge junction to All Saints parish
–Kainuk, gave the two communities a rare opportunity to mingle without tension although with
presence of security personnel. According to Kitale Diocese CJPD Coordinator Mr. Edward
Shibanda, this was the beginning of Yearly celebration of Peace Mass in the area during every third
week of lent.
The Peace Mass is the second of its kind – for the Catholic Diocese of Kitale- following the yearly
Peace Mass at Kapsait boarder of Pokot and Marakwet communities that was started over twenty
years ago by the late Bishop of Eldoret Cornelius Korir, and Kitale’s founding Bishop Maurice
Crowley. Kapsait Peace Mass is held on every 1 st day of January and has been very successful in
fostering peaceful coexistence between the communities.