Bitter foes Jematiah, Kamket bury hatchet, call for peace in N. Rift
Outspoken Tiaty MP William Kamket and his fiercest critic in Baringo Woman Representative Florence Jematiah finally buried the hatchet over the weekend after many years of a war of words over rampant cases of insecurity in the region.
Elected on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Jematiah always accused Kamket of abetting banditry in the region, who she said are responsible for killings and displacement of scores of people.
But on Sunday, the duo freely interacted and shook hands during the commissioning of floodlights in Nginyang’ centre in Tiaty constituency and pledged to unite and promote peaceful co-existence among warring communities.
The host Kamket said Jematiah who was touring the region for the first time since she was elected said the fiery woman representative was free to tour the constituency having been elected to represent the whole county.
“Karibuni Tiaty mwenzangu (Welcome colleague). I want to thank you in a very sincere way. I just say welcome here anytime. Sio lazima uombe mimi ruhusa (it is not a must that you seek permission from me to tour this region),” Kamket told Jematiah.
Jematiah conveyed her apologies she made linking the Pokot community for being responsible for banditry being witnessed in the region and pledged to work with Kamket to promote peace in the region.
“Nimetamani kufika hapa nyumbani kwa muda (I’ve yearned coming home for a long time) It has taken time and the hand of God for us to reach here. I’m sorry for the remarks I made in the past. That was then, it can be understood because of the bitterness at that time,” said Jematiah.
“You now have a leader who will stand with you the entire county. I’m a leader who stands with justice and I will not hesitate to condemn something even if it is my people from Tugen who are responsible. God knows why he put us together in Baringo County,” she added.
She pledged to work with other leaders in the region to reach out to bandits wreaking havoc in the region in a bid to engage in alternative income generating activities.
Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek said the whole of Tiaty should not be condemned as criminals, noting only a few elements were wreaking havoc in the area.
“Majority of Tiaty people are God-fearing but a few criminals are tainting your name. The few terrorising people are criminals who should be dealt with as such. Please assist the government to deal with such elements,” said Kiborek.
The leaders pledged to traverse areas worst hit by runaway banditry in Baringo North, Baringo South and Baringo North sub-counties.
So tense has the relationship between the two leaders been that Kamket last year threatened to take Jematiah to court over defamatory remarks she allegedly made against him over runaway banditry in the region.
Jematiah is not new to controversy. On 2nd February last year, she was arrested for threatening to arm residents from volatile areas of Baringo County to protect themselves from armed bandits that were terrorizing residents in the region.
Meanwhile, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki is set to tour Baringo County later this week where he will lay the foundation for the establishment of Tiaty Central sub-county.
