Unfortunate journey to Kapedo's peace
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Unfortunate journey to Kapedo's peace
The insecurity in Tiaty Subcounty has continuously become challenging ever since the operation was launched by the minister of security Fred Matiangi following the killings of a Deputy Operations Commander of the General Service Unit (GSU) officer on 17th January 2021, it is alleged that the bandits ambushed the officer`s vehicle at Ameyan bridge.
The community members need to be assisted, most have lost their lives and loved ones most will need to be supported in getting back to their feet.
Families that fled uphill are surviving through drip water donated to them to keep the kids hydrated.
Cattles have been bombed dead and their carcass lie bear in vast land, polluting the air, such are scenes the community here cannot stand seeing as it is a taboo it is a curse to the land and the will of the gods are not appeased, they need to be buried.
Schools and hospitals remain closed for as long as the operation is on, as much as fellow Kenyans do support any efforts to ensure the insecurity in Kapedo is dealt with, there is need to have a solution towards the protection of women and children.
Many listen and watch from the media the situation of the operation but all they get is what they are told by the head of security, but what the people on the ground are going through is not clear.
According to my source that shall remain anonymous, she lost a friend after helping him undergo a Recovery program in a rehabilitation center, service she no longer could give due to the operation, she was fighting alcohol addiction.
She is calling for any stakeholder’s humanitarian Organization including your office, to chip in Support overcome the challenges the Pokot Communities are currently under, they are the most affected in Tiaty subcounty in Baringo County.
While it remains unclear when the government shall be through with their efforts to keep the area secure, humanitarian aid is urgently needed.
Prior to the operations inception last month, the area has always had their share of challenges, that’s has contributed to the different ways of living, a factor being that they are deeply rooted in culture and are practicing even the unlawful cultures of cattle rustling, female genital mutilation (FGM) and early marriages.
According to the research done by a Community based organization called Tiaty Youth Development Association, 18% of the residents are literate and 82% practicing cultural practices like FGM contributing to school dropouts, early marriages and the continuous birth of vulnerable children.
Lack of education has contributed to the existence of dysfunctional families, selling illicit brew for a living.
The study focus area called Silale ward, major challenge being in lack of schools, Health facilities and Churches.
There are how ever some of the solutions that can help mitigate the security issues by ensuring the area is upgraded thus improving the living standards of the people around.
Some solutions are in; • Capacity building • Cash transfer Programs • Food Donations • Education • Installations of Boreholes in a manner that provides space for human consumption and animal consumption.
The lack of this consideration has caused a lot of health issues because the people share with animals. • Equiping and building more Health facilities and strengthen the Universla Health care. • Give the ilicit brewers an alternative other than selling the brew they get supported to start small businesses, on Alternative livelihood, nutrition trainings, wellness, Mental health. • Also the need to empower Community leaders, Opinion leaders and Chiefs. • Also needed is a huge support of groups like CBOs, FBOs, Business people.
Speaking to THE Project manager, Community Volunteer towards Recovery programs, Kolem Rutto, there is need to keep the youth busy and keep them from dawning in addictions and depression.
His request is to be equipped with sports materials to engage the youth, he even started a recreational activity, and organized a volleyball tournament which he wishes could be supported.
“If I can get few of these items, in a perspective of this youth they have a lot going on in their minds they will not forget what happened, but it is good we bring out these feelings in a positive way rather than living them because they will eventually grow wild and strong in their “demon’s”.
Deep inside there soul’s some end up rigid, some harbor suicidal thoughts, some even dropout of school.” Says Kolem Rutto
Kolem Ruto is a reformed alcoholic and drug addict and is three years free, clean from substance use Disorders.
“In cases of the girl child they easily drop out of school because some of their parents are sellers of illicit brew.
They live with very minimized basic provision and some compare their lives with those from well off families, thus feel inferior when it comes to keeping up with friends using nice stuff, having sanitary towels in good supply, good shoes, clothes and end up giving in to sugar daddies or boyfriends in exchange for the utilities, and some end up pregnant and due to embarrassment, they drop out of school.
This becomes a circle coz she will do what her mother does to survive brew more illicit brew”. Adds Kolem.
Kolem easily identifies the reasons why he needs to be supported to save the lives of those going through what he went through before being helped.
Also needs a solid support system for the girl child to never give up or compare their lives with others. He can be reached through [email protected] or [email protected]. Or his address KOLEM RUTTO P.O BOX 32-30404 NGINYANG COUNTY 030 BARINGO COUNTY