Natembeya spoke at a press briefing after ethnic clashes which erupted on Saturday, May 23, persisted, with six people so far confirmed dead and several others admitted at Narok Level 5 Hospital with injuries.
Natembeya maintained that politicians were to blame for the clashes, claiming that they had been spreading inciteful messages pitting the Maasai and Kalenjin communities living in the area against each other.
He warned politicians that they would no longer be welcome in the area as they would only further divide the people.
George Natembeya addresses journalists on destruction in the Mau Forest Complex in his office in Nakuru on September 13, 2019.
Daily Nation
Natembeya appealed to residents to find common ground and abandon the clashes which have also led to the destruction of property.
“You find someone coming to a place like this, which is cosmopolitan. But what they speak isn’t good, it’s inciteful. They say we’ll get a constituency or we’ll get this and that through violence and spilling blood.
“There’s no part of the law which says that if you want a constituency, a location or an administrative unit you must use violence. If you qualify, you will get it.
“Don’t make people fight to achieve some political goals. I want to urge our people to stick together, let’s not say this location is for Kalenjins and this one is for Maasai.
“Let’s look at each other as Kenyans and live as one community. When voting, vote for the right leader who can serve everyone. Don’t vote for someone from your tribe thinking that they will help you,” he asserted.
Natembeya advised the residents that a peaceful environment was crucial to allow them to go about their businesses and activities uninterrupted.
He disclosed that they had deployed several more officers to beef up security in Narok to ensure the clashes do not recur.
Natembeya stated that he expected to personally visit the area on Wednesday, May 27 to inspect the situation and make appropriate security arrangements.
He also confirmed that the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had moved to initiate peace-building programs in Narok.
“When all is said and done, there is no excuse for fighting along tribal lines. The government has an open-door policy, let us address issues on the table like civilized people,” he asserted.
Watch Natembeya’s briefing below:
