Community elders from the troubled North Rift region have launched renewed peace efforts in response to a fresh wave of bandit attacks in Kerio Valley, where at least 30 people, including a Catholic priest, have been killed since January.

Leaders from Baringo, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, and Uasin Gishu counties convened in Cheptebo, Elgeyo Marakwet, to begin charting a new path to restore order and stability.

During the meeting, the elders admitted that traditional leadership had weakened and taken a back seat as insecurity escalated, particularly among the youth.

“We must accept that we’ve fallen short. Our communities are straying while we, the elders, remain silent. There's an old Swahili saying that where elders are present, things don’t fall apart but clearly, they are,” said Andrew Chemweno, the Marakwet chair of the Kalenjin Myoot Council of Elders.

Chemweno urged young people to respect elders and traditional authority, and called for an end to the killings.

“It is heartbreaking to see such violence especially when a man of God is gunned down in cold blood. We must embrace one another as brothers and build a peaceful society where development can thrive.”

His comments follow the recent killing of Father Allois Bett, parish priest of St. Matthias Lumumba Tot Parish, who was ambushed and shot dead just two kilometres from the church as he returned from mass.

The incident triggered fear across the region and led to the flight of several non-local workers, including teachers.

The elders pledged full support for the government's ongoing security operation in the region and committed to help reopen schools that had been shut due to insecurity.

They also announced plans to organise community dialogues across border areas, bringing together peace committees and local administrators to promote reconciliation and understanding.

“We are united in our stance against violence,” said John Muok, chair of the Pokot County Council of Elders. “These killings must stop. We have declared that the criminal acts terrorising Kerio Valley and beyond must end, and we will not sit back while lives are lost.”

The elders appealed to professionals, especially teachers who had fled, to return, assuring them that calm was returning and local leaders were determined to protect them.

“No more bloodshed under our watch,” Chemweno said, closing the meeting with a strong call for unity and lasting peace across the North Rift.