One of the coffee seedlings nursery belonging to Sambirir Farmers' Cooperative Society in Marakwet East. Uneasy calm is slowly returning to the region, thanks to peace efforts rolled out in the area by the government and other partners. [Wycliff Kipsang, Standard]
For many years, Kerio Valley in the North Rift region has been known for rampant cases of insecurity, which have led to the loss of many lives.
However, calm is slowly returning to the region, thanks to peace efforts rolled out in the area by the government and other partners.
A spot-check by The Standard revealed that locals have gone back to their farms thanks to an initiative by the Elgeyo Marakwet County government to distribute water pumps for residents to engage in irrigation to boost food security and their economic livelihoods.
The devolved unit is also in the process of distributing high-value crops including coffee and beans in Endo, Sambirir, Kaben and Arror areas which have in the past been battlefields.
According to the County Executive in charge of Agriculture Edwin Kibor, the county government is committed to ensuring that peace is sustained in the area by empowering locals to engage in alternative income-generating activities.
“We are very happy that peace is returning to the area, which has for many years been known for bloody conflicts. We want to take advantage of this by empowering our people to engage in alternative income-generating activities,” said Kibor while distributing the water pumps and generators at Sambirir area.
He said the national government has played its part by restoring peace, adding that as the county government, they will play their part by supporting residents to be self-reliant.