The Samburu Council of Elders Association (SCEA) has declared a total end to child marriage in Samburu and issued a directive that every child in the county must be enrolled and retained in school.
Addressing the press at Kisima springs in Samburu Central, SCEA patron Col. (Rtd) Richard Leiyagu, said Samburu children have been left behind in education as many of them remain out of school, a practice he said directly fuels child marriage, Female Genital Mutilation and a cycle of poverty.
Leiyagu said the era when young boys served as morans to protect the community is over.
“Countries like Israel take children to school yet they protect their citizens, so young Samburu boys should be enrolled in school,” he said.
In a stern warning, he said anyone involved in marrying off underage girls will face arrest and prosecution, and can no longer hide behind culture.
“This is a warning to all men, women and elders who hide under culture to marry off girls as young as 10 years that SCEA has declared an end to this harmful practice which has kept our people in a cycle of poverty for generations,” Leiyagu said.
The council linked the county’s broader challenges to clan division and clan politics, which the elders condemned as the root cause of unfair employment, corruption and nepotism across both public and private sectors.
On culture, the elders resolved to strengthen and preserve positive Samburu cultural values while ensuring that cultural practices remain relevant to the changing needs of the community. They also demanded that the long-pending Culture Bill, 2021 be deliberated and passed by the County Assembly and assented to by the Governor within one month.
On economy, the elders resolved to shift from traditional pastoralism to modern and sustainable livestock production through improved access to veterinary services, improved breeds and value addition.
Concerned by perennial insecurity that has led to internal displacement, the council resolved to champion peaceful coexistence through dialogue and community-led conflict resolution. The elders called for unity among residents and leaders and for closer collaboration between the national government, county government and civil society in addressing insecurity.
They also condemned rising corruption and drug and substance abuse, particularly among the youth, and resolved to intensify community awareness, prevention and rehabilitation programs while calling on relevant bodies to enforce strict regulations.
Other resolutions adopted by the council touched on strengthening alternative justice systems, tackling unemployment, restoring loss of family values and improving leadership at all levels.
The elders said implementation of the resolutions begins immediately followed by community sensitization exercises across the county.
The declaration was made at Kisima Springs, the community’s sacred ground for oaths and major declarations, where elders drawn from Samburu, Isiolo, Marsabit and Laikipia counties converged for a four day-long general assembly to deliberate on various issues facing the Samburu community.
By Robert Githu
