Labour PS Dr. Khadhija Kasachon has told Pokot community living in Baringo county to embrace peace with neighboring communities saying if guns could bring development alshabaab could be launching their rocket to the moon.

Speaking in Chemolingot,Tiaty on Friday during the launch of the elderly cash transfer, the PS said she was not happy as a senior government officer from the community to see the region continue to lag behind in development due to the ongoing banditry.

“No one will bring peace to you, peace is in your hands. It is you to decide because if guns could bring development Al shabaab terrorists could be launching their first rocket to the moon,”said Kasachoon .

She said cattle rustling was the reason behind the retarded development in the area warning to community to talk to those who involve themselves in banditry activities to leave or continue to suffer because government will not entertain crime.

“Many Pokots have been coming to my office to request me to intervene in seeing the ongoing operation in this area is withdrawn but I have been telling them that peace is in their hands ,it is up to you decide to embrace peace then the military officers will be withdrawn, “added the PS.

Kasachoon who comes from neighbouring West Pokot county also revealed that the political leadership in Tiaty is to blame since they hardly talk about insecurity issues fearing to lose their seats an obligation that has been left for the professionals.

Water Principal Secretary Prof. Fred Segor echoed the sentiments urging the community to coexist peacefully with other communities saying government projects in the region have stalled courtesy of insecurity.

“The government has dispatched 300 million for construction of dams and drilling of boreholes to mitigate the shortage of water for domestic and livestock which has been a source of conflicts to communities living in Baringo and neighboring counties but it has stopped because of instability in the area, “said Segor.

Over 200 people have lost their lives and scores displaced this year alone as a result of the ongoing attacks in Baringo and Laikipia counties.