Leaders from Loya in Turkana County and Naoyapong in West Pokot, have resolved to cement and strengthen the Turkana and Pokot communities of peaceful coexistence for the last 11 years through a structured dialogue.

At a joint meeting, leaders emphasised the critical role community dialogues play in addressing potential conflicts over pasture and water resources; an issue that frequently triggered disputes between the two in the past.

The two communities resolved to constitute a 10-member special committee tasked with fostering dialogue from the family to the community levels.

Speaking during the event, the Sub-county Peace Building Officer, Abdi Achengei praised the initiative as a strategic and locally driven solution to the persistent cattle-related conflicts.

“This is a good gesture in preventing the resurgence of animosity between the Turkana and Pokot communities, especially during current times when the region is experiencing impacts of climate change, negatively affecting pasture regeneration,” he said.

He also highlighted plans to leverage on the strategy to promote peaceful co-existence, through thriving in trade and cultural exchange programs.

The Peace Building Officer hinted that the Directorate of Peace Building and Conflict Resolution aims at replicating this successful approach in other border areas.

The meeting, supported by LOKAD, a local peace organisation based in Turkana, underscored the importance of maintaining 11 years of peaceful coexistence in the Loya-Naoyapong corridor.

According to LOKADO’s Project Officer, Dennis Eng’or, the organization focuses on curbing the negative impacts of cattle rustling and competition over pasture resources.

The adoption of the leader’s dialogue approach and the subsequent formation of the special committee is a testament of the success in the training offered by various peace actors on the adoption of diverse strategies for peacebuilding among border communities