June 2010
PREAMBLE
The month of June started with a Pokot peace meeting at NYUMBA YA AMANI- Malaso on 2nd June 2010. The month remained calm with some sporadic incidences being reported here and there. In the month, one raid was carried out by Turkana cattle rustlers on Pokot near Malaso that was surprising as compared to the recent months.
PEACE MEETINGS
02.06.2010 – A planned seminar for Pokot morans was convened but turned to be a meeting for Pokot men as enough number of morans did not turn up. Pokot men promised to keep peace on their side. They also promised to prove this through actions by bringing some of their school going children to school at Morijo Primary school whenever Morijo community were sensitized enough to accept the said children.
25.06.2010 – sensitization seminar for the staff was carried out at Morijo and was attended by all members of staff for the project. The seminar was facilitated by Board members and initial objectives of the project were discussed and expectations at the end of the project cycle. Methods to be used to penetrate the communities were also discussed.
30.06.2010 – Morijo Catholic Mission in collaboration with MIPPP had been carrying out clinics and treatment for the sick at Malaso on weekly basis (every Wednesdays) for some good period. This activity had to stop following a sacking threat (threat to lose job) to our only nurse, Paul Leshimpiro by Fr. Peter Leseketeti if Paul dared to go to Malaso to attend to patients there where Pokot usually get medication. The project (MIPPP), therefore, took initiatives to go to Malaso where over twenty mothers from Pokot community, most of them with very sick children, were met while awaiting for treatment. These people were informed of the termination of these services. The people convened a meeting and a few Pokot men who were with the mothers resolved to take up this matter to the bishop of Maralal Diocese (Bishop Virgilio Pante) at their own pace.
INCIDENCES
15.06.2010 – there was a report that a lorry travelling from Baragoi to Maralal was shot at during the day between Marti and a Morijo. However the lorry did not stop and had no casualties reported.
17.06.2010 – some traders were reported to had been stopped by some armed men near Soit- pus and robbed of mobile phones and some money when returning to Maralal after selling at Nkorika on market day. No injuries were reported.
25.06.2010 – Turkana raiders attacked Pokot Manyatta near Malaso and killed four people. The raiders also got away with unconfirmed number of animals. It was also reported about three cattle rustlers died during the attack but no confirmations were made.
CHALLENGES
· It has been difficult to reach targeted groups of people due to distances and terrain in these areas.
· Pokot and Samburu have no big problems with each other, Turkana and Samburu, but Pokot and Turkana pose a serious challenge to our project and its staff.
· Sick patients from Pokot community have problems accessing medical care following a threat from Fr Peter in charge of Morijo Catholic mission on our only nurse. He (Fr. Peter) prevented him from going to give medical services to the Pokot or otherwise the nurse loses his job.
· Wrong doers are never arrested by the government.
· There was an emerging problem of robbing of vehicles along the Baragoi – Maralal road.
· Very difficult to target groups as people are always eager to hear and take part in every seminar or meeting.
WAY FORWARD
· To organize seminars for women at Morijo and Marti on dates given.
· Look forward to conduct a day’s seminar for Pokot morans on dates to be agreed later.
· Try to discuss with Fr. Peter Leseketeti reasons that led to the termination of medical services for Pokot and the Samburu people in Malaso area.
CHANGE IN PROJECT STAFF.
YUDA MATUNDA, a staff member from Marti, was expelled by the board and his position taken up by one JOSEPHAT NGA’SIKE after selection by the Marti Turkana community. Yuda proved to be difficult person to work with and was forwarded by project leader to the board of directors with allegations. Josephat was appointed with effect from 1st June 2010 and had been working for the project ever since.
CONCLUSION
· Road bandits were increasing and MIPPP would organize meetings at Morijo and Marti that would involve leaders to address the issue.
· Raids between Turkana and Pokot communities require some efforts and time to stop. MIPPP looks forward to going between the two communities for them to live peacefully.
· There is still hope that all the three communities can coexist peacefully.
The month of June started with a Pokot peace meeting at NYUMBA YA AMANI- Malaso on 2nd June 2010. The month remained calm with some sporadic incidences being reported here and there. In the month, one raid was carried out by Turkana cattle rustlers on Pokot near Malaso that was surprising as compared to the recent months.
PEACE MEETINGS
02.06.2010 – A planned seminar for Pokot morans was convened but turned to be a meeting for Pokot men as enough number of morans did not turn up. Pokot men promised to keep peace on their side. They also promised to prove this through actions by bringing some of their school going children to school at Morijo Primary school whenever Morijo community were sensitized enough to accept the said children.
25.06.2010 – sensitization seminar for the staff was carried out at Morijo and was attended by all members of staff for the project. The seminar was facilitated by Board members and initial objectives of the project were discussed and expectations at the end of the project cycle. Methods to be used to penetrate the communities were also discussed.
30.06.2010 – Morijo Catholic Mission in collaboration with MIPPP had been carrying out clinics and treatment for the sick at Malaso on weekly basis (every Wednesdays) for some good period. This activity had to stop following a sacking threat (threat to lose job) to our only nurse, Paul Leshimpiro by Fr. Peter Leseketeti if Paul dared to go to Malaso to attend to patients there where Pokot usually get medication. The project (MIPPP), therefore, took initiatives to go to Malaso where over twenty mothers from Pokot community, most of them with very sick children, were met while awaiting for treatment. These people were informed of the termination of these services. The people convened a meeting and a few Pokot men who were with the mothers resolved to take up this matter to the bishop of Maralal Diocese (Bishop Virgilio Pante) at their own pace.
INCIDENCES
15.06.2010 – there was a report that a lorry travelling from Baragoi to Maralal was shot at during the day between Marti and a Morijo. However the lorry did not stop and had no casualties reported.
17.06.2010 – some traders were reported to had been stopped by some armed men near Soit- pus and robbed of mobile phones and some money when returning to Maralal after selling at Nkorika on market day. No injuries were reported.
25.06.2010 – Turkana raiders attacked Pokot Manyatta near Malaso and killed four people. The raiders also got away with unconfirmed number of animals. It was also reported about three cattle rustlers died during the attack but no confirmations were made.
CHALLENGES
· It has been difficult to reach targeted groups of people due to distances and terrain in these areas.
· Pokot and Samburu have no big problems with each other, Turkana and Samburu, but Pokot and Turkana pose a serious challenge to our project and its staff.
· Sick patients from Pokot community have problems accessing medical care following a threat from Fr Peter in charge of Morijo Catholic mission on our only nurse. He (Fr. Peter) prevented him from going to give medical services to the Pokot or otherwise the nurse loses his job.
· Wrong doers are never arrested by the government.
· There was an emerging problem of robbing of vehicles along the Baragoi – Maralal road.
· Very difficult to target groups as people are always eager to hear and take part in every seminar or meeting.
WAY FORWARD
· To organize seminars for women at Morijo and Marti on dates given.
· Look forward to conduct a day’s seminar for Pokot morans on dates to be agreed later.
· Try to discuss with Fr. Peter Leseketeti reasons that led to the termination of medical services for Pokot and the Samburu people in Malaso area.
CHANGE IN PROJECT STAFF.
YUDA MATUNDA, a staff member from Marti, was expelled by the board and his position taken up by one JOSEPHAT NGA’SIKE after selection by the Marti Turkana community. Yuda proved to be difficult person to work with and was forwarded by project leader to the board of directors with allegations. Josephat was appointed with effect from 1st June 2010 and had been working for the project ever since.
CONCLUSION
· Road bandits were increasing and MIPPP would organize meetings at Morijo and Marti that would involve leaders to address the issue.
· Raids between Turkana and Pokot communities require some efforts and time to stop. MIPPP looks forward to going between the two communities for them to live peacefully.
· There is still hope that all the three communities can coexist peacefully.
