The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) in collaboration with security agencies have expressed optimism in finding a lasting solution to perennial conflicts in Njoro and Molo sub counties of Nakuru County.
Speaking in Nakuru on Friday after holding a three-day meeting with representatives of various communities from the area, NCIC commissioners and Nakuru County security team said they are focused on engaging towards an amicable solution.
NCIC Commissioner Abdulaziz Farah while addressing the media in Nakuru town, called on politicians to refrain from negative utterances and incitement.
According to NCIC,the multi-agency task-force that was formed to look into the perennial conflicts touching on land in Njoro-Molo will come out with recommendations that will help the residents of the area.
“We have been here for 3 days engaging the elders from Communities. We are optimistic that we shall find a lasting solution in Njoro-Molo perennial conflicts. But we are at the same calling on political class to shun utterances that might incite communities” he said.
The Commissioner at the same weighing in on the ongoing political heat about the Building Bridges Initiative.
Farah stated that BBI should stand for peace rather than dividing Kenyans.
He added that the Commission is concerned on the possible referendum and the 2022 succession politics.
Already NCIC has mapped political hotspots towards 2022 succession politics which include Nakuru, Eldoret, Kisumu, Mombasa and Nairobi.
The Commission has commenced community engagements to ensure no political conflicts towards 2022.
“If we start engaging various communities in mapped political hotspot areas then we shall be able to cool down the temperatures and that is what we are doing as a Commission” said Commissioner Farah.
The Commission revealed that integration cannot be left to NCIC alone and that is why as a commission, they have changed approach and are now working with all other agencies to cohesive nation.
On his part Nakuru County Commissioner Erastus Mbui reiterated the need to continue engaging communities in conflict- prone areas in finding amicable solutions.
Mbui noted that Njoro- Molo areas have had long time grievances around land ownership-an issue he says will be of past following government’s commitment
“Long time grievances in Njoro and Mariashoni is the issue of land and ownership. The earlier meetings, we have seen the locals are for the ongoing government program to ascertain the true boundaries.We hope the meeting will be able to find a lasting solution” said Mbui.
The County Commissioner once again called on Nakuru residents to ensure peaceful co-existence.
“It’s wrong to victimize anyone due to the stand they hold be it political or ideological. Locals should only agitate for Development” said Mbui.