Bishop Kimengich calls for peace in volatile Kerio

The Catholic Bishop of Eldoret, Dominic Kimengich, has called for renewed commitment to long-term peace in the Kerio Valley, warning that recurring insecurity continues to push families into unsafe highland settlements. Speaking during a memorial gathering at St. Maurus Primary School in Chesongoch, the bishop urged leaders, security agencies, and residents to work together to address the root causes of conflict that have plagued the region for decades. He noted that although the valley is currently relatively calm, the peace is fragile and must be reinforced through deliberate, sustained interventions.
Bishop Kimengich highlighted the intertwined nature of insecurity, displacement, and environmental degradation, saying residents fleeing violence in the lowlands have been forced to occupy steep, fragile slopes. Over the years, farming on these hillsides has stripped the land of vegetation, increasing the likelihood of mudslides and landslides that have repeatedly devastated villages in Elgeyo Marakwet. He reminded mourners that many of the tragedies witnessed in the region are not isolated incidents but consequences of long-standing instability that has pushed families away from arable land in the valley. The bishop stressed that unless insecurity is resolved, communities will continue to live in fear, exposed to preventable disasters.
Calling for unity and collective responsibility, Bishop Kimengich urged community leaders and government agencies to seize the current window of relative calm to pursue a durable peace process. He emphasized the need for reconciliation among neighbouring communities, improved security operations, and environmental restoration to safeguard lives and livelihoods. The bishop also appealed for a cultural shift toward cooperation and mutual respect, saying true peace is built not on fear but on harmony and shared purpose. Looking ahead, he expressed hope that with joint efforts, the Kerio Valley can move toward a future where residents feel safe to return to the lowlands, cultivate their farms without fear, and rebuild a region long burdened by conflict and natural disasters.