by SHARON MWENDE
Friday May 12, 2023
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking during Kenya-Somalia-Ethiopia Borderlands Project meeting on May 11,2023. Image: MOINA
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said Kenya is committed to supporting the Borderlands peace project.
The initiative aims to improve security along the border between Ethiopia and Somalia and is expected to fast-track development in the region.
Speaking on Thursday in Mandera during the launch of the Borderlands Project, Gachagua said the initiative was timely and would receive full backing from Kenya.
The project is being implemented by the three countries in collaboration with the British government.
"It is a pragmatic and sustainable approach to the socio-economic challenges the region has grappled with for decades," he said.
"As the government of Kenya, we are confident that it will contribute to the ongoing peace and stability efforts and improve the social economic status of the borderlands people," he said.
The DP noted that illegal guns and incessant hostilities among communities in the region had led to stagnation in development.
He added that government, in collaboration with its counterparts, was ready to face and find a long-lasting solution to the dispute.
"Infrastructural development is silenced by armed conflicts. We must silence the guns for the industries to roar back. We must silence the violence for socio-economic prosperity," Gachagua said.
He added that the project had presented another opportunity to meet the African Union target of silencing the guns which started in 2020.
Outgoing British High Commissioner Jane Marriott said Britain will continue to support the Borderlands Project and programmes geared towards long-lasting peace and development in the region.
"The three countries do not just share a common border but the communities living here share a common history and destiny and face common challenges," the envoy said.
"There is so much positive shared by the communities that this project will help to expand."
The DP was joined by Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, Somalia Internal Security Minister Mohamed Sheikh Ali, Ethiopia Peace Minister Binalf Andualem and Jubaland Deputy President Mohamud Sayid Aden.
Mandera Governor Mohamed Adan was also present.