Former Cabinet Minister Linah Jebii Kilimo has urged political leaders to prioritize the welfare of their constituents over personal or partisan interests. Speaking at a burial ceremony in Marakwet West, Kilimo criticized some Members of Parliament (MPs) for neglecting their constituencies and only resurfacing during election seasons to secure votes. She emphasized that voters should elect leaders based on their ability to address community challenges, regardless of political affiliation.
Kilimo’s remarks also highlighted the pressing issue of insecurity in the Kerio Valley. She noted that the persistent banditry and cattle rustling in the region have hampered development efforts, urging both political and community leaders to find homegrown solutions to restore peace. Kilimo called for unity among political leaders, church leaders, professionals, and elders in Kerio Valley to come up with lasting solutions for the region’s security challenges.
Addressing the root causes of insecurity, Kilimo pointed out that poverty and the over-reliance on livestock for survival have led many young people to engage in criminal activities, including cattle rustling. She called on both national and county governments to focus on the development of marginalized areas like Kerio Valley, suggesting the establishment of irrigation schemes and other income-generating projects to reduce the community’s dependence on livestock.
Kilimo also referred to past initiatives, such as irrigation projects launched by the Red Cross Kenya between 2005 and 2013, which helped reduce lawlessness in the region by providing young people with alternative livelihoods. The region’s fertile agricultural soils, Kilimo said, offer an opportunity to transform the lives of locals through productive farming.
In conclusion, Kilimo urged local residents to take the lead in resolving the insecurity issue, emphasizing that the long-term solution lies in community-driven efforts to foster peace and development in the Kerio Valley.
