Sports for Peace: How sporting activities are uniting North Rift communities

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen has extended amnesty to persons holding illegal firearms in the North Rift region, urging them to forward the guns to the local security authorities before security agencies kick off a mop-up exercise.

Speaking during the second edition of Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift Sports for Peace Tournament in Chemolingot, an event aimed at promoting peace amongst previously warring communities in the region, Murkomen said Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) has recorded remarkable success in silencing guns and restoring peace in the Kerio Valley region, but noted that security agencies are ramping up efforts to pacify the few remaining troubled areas.

"You will be in great trouble if you wait for us to come for them, so look for the chief, OCS, or government official near you and hand over the weapon(s) to them. We want to get rid of arms in this region and bring development through cultural programmes that will be of commercial value. We also want to bring sporting activities for the youth to make a living from," he said.

The call was extended to the weapons suppliers, who, he said their days are numbered. "Anyone who proceeds with that business should not come to cry to us later. We want to tell you that you must stop that business, and even if you don't, we will stop you, and we have started stopping these characters selling guns and bullets in this region."

The annual event that kicked off last year brings together previously warring communities from six counties, including Baringo, Samburu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, West Pokot, and Laikipia, security officials carrying out Operation Maliza Uhalifu, state officials, as well as peace actors from the region.

Murkomen said it seeks to build momentum on the gains made by the ongoing operation. "We are intensifying interventions geared towards deepening cohesion, fostering reconciliation, and pacifying the region further for sustainable development," he added.

Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Wisley Rotich said this was his first time witnessing a joyous union displayed by the communities present in dance and games, from his previous tours of Chemolingot.

"As the leaders of this region, we assure you, Waziri, of our total support. The insecurity we were experiencing was because we had lagged in terms of development. From today, we ask that guns be mopped up from this region for development to take place, for children to attend school, for the youth to engage in farming and business, and even travel abroad," he said.

Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) has recorded remarkable success in silencing guns and restoring peace in the Kerio Valley region.

Building on this momentum, we are intensifying interventions geared towards deepening cohesion, fostering reconciliation, and pacifying the region… pic.twitter.com/x66WMm2kXv

— KIPCHUMBA MURKOMEN, E.G.H (@kipmurkomen) August 23, 2025

Jane Labat from Action Aid said her organisation was supporting young women to compete in volleyball at the tournament and intends to mobilise them into forming a movement of women for peace in the region.

"For a long time, communities here have been in conflict over resources, but now we have brought together six counties to see that they dialogue and work together without tensions. We have used games, as it's a tool that unites people and provides an opportunity to form harmony and even lasting friendships," she said.

On her part, Lilian Biwott from Marakwet County said the games have played a key role in promoting peace in the region

"I came all the way from Marakwet to Chemolingot with a group of players from my home county. Every time we do this, we get to bring people together and foster peace. You find that when the person who had not intended to play starts playing, they even forget about banditry and change their outlook on the person(s) they are competing with," she said.

The tournament was also attended by Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi, Deputy Governors Felix Kipng'ok (Baringo), Prof. Grace Cheserek (Elgeyo Marakwet), and Robert Komolle (West Pokot), Tiaty MP William Kamket, OMU Commander Brig Alex Kiraguri, DIG-APS Gilbert Masengeli, ASTU Commander Joseph Limo, Baringo County Commissioner Stephen Sangolo, and County Police Commander Julius Kiragu, among other senior security officials.

Other Topics To Read

• National
• insecurity
• Kipchumba Murkomen
• Banditry
• North Rift Region
• Operation Maliza Uhalifu
• Sports for Peace: How sporting activities are uniting North Rift communities
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