National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has called on Members of Parliament from Baringo County to take a frontline role in engaging local youths as a key strategy in restoring lasting peace and security in the volatile region.
Speaking during a high-level peace and development forum held in August House,Wetang’ula emphasized the importance of grassroots involvement in countering insecurity, especially in areas that have long been plagued by cattle rustling, banditry, and ethnic conflicts.
“I urge our MPs from Baringo and other conflict-affected counties to go back to their constituencies and actively involve young people in peacebuilding efforts,” the Speaker said. “Youths are not just victims or perpetrators—they can be powerful agents of change if given the right platforms and responsibilities.”
Wetang’ula’s statement comes at a time when Baringo County continues to grapple with sporadic armed attacks and inter-community violence, which have led to loss of lives, displacement of families, and disruption of essential services including education and healthcare.
The Speaker noted that the involvement of youths, especially in peace committees and community policing initiatives, could bridge the trust gap between local communities and security agencies.
Security experts and community leaders have raised concerns that persistent insecurity in Baringo is threatening the region’s development trajectory. Schools have been shut down in areas like Tiaty, Baringo South, and Baringo North due to fear of attacks. Similarly, farmers have abandoned their land, and the local economy continues to suffer.
Wetang’ula stressed that young people should not be manipulated by criminal gangs or political warlords. Instead, he said, they should be empowered through education, employment, and civic engagement.
“Let us stop looking at the youth as a problem. They are our biggest asset. It is our responsibility as leaders to ensure they are part of the solution,” he added.
Following the Speaker’s remarks, several Baringo MPs welcomed the challenge and pledged to scale up youth-focused security and development programs in their constituencies.
Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek said his office has already initiated community dialogues and is working closely with local chiefs and church leaders to create youth-led peace caravans.
“We are rolling out mentorship programs where we talk to young people directly. Many of them have lost hope due to poverty and unemployment, which makes them vulnerable to recruitment by criminal gangs,” Kiborek said.
Baringo South MP Charles Kamuren echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing that long-term peace in the region can only be achieved if the root causes of insecurity—such as marginalization, competition over resources, and political incitement—are addressed.
“We must go beyond the deployment of security forces and focus on changing the narrative. It starts with engaging our young people and giving them alternatives,” Kamuren said.
Peacebuilding organizations and civil society groups have also backed Wetang’ula’s call, urging both national and county governments to collaborate more effectively.
According to Linda Amani, a coordinator with the Rift Valley Peace Network, integrating young people into decision-making platforms can foster community ownership of security initiatives.
“Youth should be included in county peace committees, trained in conflict resolution, and supported with start-up capital for businesses. Economic empowerment is security empowerment,” she said.
As Baringo inches closer to the next general election cycle, observers warn that failure to address security challenges may have dire consequences, including voter apathy and electoral violence.
Wetang’ula concluded his address by calling on all stakeholders—including political leaders, security agencies, religious institutions, and NGOs—to join hands in crafting a homegrown solution to Baringo’s decades-long insecurity problem.
“Peace is not imposed; it is nurtured. And we must nurture it from the bottom up—with our young people at the heart of it,” he stated.
