The Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, His Excellency Daniel Charles Balvo has pleaded that the Peace message that was delivered by various leaders during the Second Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization” trickles down to the parties involved in conflict.
 |
| Turkana People in Eucharistic Celebrations to Mark 50 years of Faith in Lodwar Diocese |
The Apostolic Nuncio gave this message during his visit to Lodwar Diocese where he also attended the Second Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization that was held in the Diocese from 8th to 10th December 2013.
The Nuncio encouraged those working for peace in the Karamoja cluster to always remember that their efforts will be rewarded and the enemies of peace will surely be subdued. Quoting a verse from the Gospel of the day (2ndSunday Advent 2013,…..then the Wolf shall be a guest of the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the young lion shall browse together,……..there shall be no harm,’ the Nuncio said like wise one day the enemies will stay together without harming each other.
The Turkana -Pokot and the neighboring region have been hit by frequent castle rustling and land issue related to cattle keeping which claimed the lives of many people. Recently, the Catholic Bishops of Lodwar and Kitale, Rt. Rev. Dominic Kimengich and Rt. Rev. Maurice Crowley in the company of Most Rev. Zacchaeus Okoth Chairman KCCB-Catholic Justice and Peace Commission issued a statement addressing the problem as they termed it as one of the most protracted and intractable conflicts in the post independent Kenya.However, since then nothing changed much as the killings still continue.
During the Inter-diocesan Conference on Peace and Cross Border Evangelization, Bishop Kimengich, whose diocese hosted the event said that since they issued the statement asking the government to take action, nothing has changed and in fact the situation is getting worse. He said that they have tried to bring local leaders in the area together, but it seems they are not ready to dialogue.
 |
| Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya, Most Rev. Charles Daniel Balvo |
“We are asking the government to move in quickly and establish a no-man’s land between the Turkana and the Pokot," said Bishop Kimengich.
Turkana County senator, Hon. John Munyes said during the conference that the government will work closely with the Church to ensure that peace is maintained in the county.
Meanwhile, the Turkana County Governor, Mr. Josephat Kooli Nanok has blamed the National government for not moving fast enough to solve the boundary dispute between the Turkana and the Pokot communities.
The Turkana – Pokot conflict has a long history but in recent days the shrinking of pasture lands, water and cattle rustling have fueled the problem. Due to the protracted conflict, the communities in the area have acquired arms which are also using cattle rustling, kill the so called their enemies and maim innocent citizens while women and children becoming the victims.
A total of 75 participants from seven Dioceses: Torit in South Sudan, Kotido and Moroto in Uganda, Vicariate of Jimma Bonga in Ethiopia; Nakuru, Lodwar, Kitale and Ngong in Kenya attended the conference.
Source: AMECEA Social Communications and the National Mirror Newspaper (KCCB)