Lokichoggio, December 21, 2024 (Public Communications and Media Relations)
Hundreds of Toposa pastoralists from South Sudan, who have migrated to Lokichoggio in search of pasture, are set to benefit from a relief food distribution program by the Turkana County Government.
The County allocated 200 bags of maize and a significant quantity of cooking oil to support the pastoralists, marking a critical step toward addressing the needs of this highly mobile community.
County chief officer for Administration and Disaster Management, David Maraka accompanied by area’s sub county administrator, Obed Echip, Area MCAs Vincent Ekipor (Lokichoggio), Muna Abdi (Nominated) and Bethwel Kobongin (Songot).
Speaking during the distribution exercise, CCO David Maraka, emphasized that the initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance peaceful co-existence.
“The mobility of these pastoralists often leaves them underserved. By providing essential services like food aid, we aim to strengthen ties and promote harmony between cross-border pastrolists,” he said.
The relief exercise builds on previous interventions, including the provision of animal health services and treatment under the County’s Kimormor program.
Additionally, Turkana County has rolled out plans to form joint resource-sharing committees to ensure sustainable utilization of scarce resources.
The initiative aligns with a recent intercommunity dialogue that resolved to silence the gun, adhere to disarmament calls, and uphold peace among cross-border pastrolists.
These resolutions are part of a wider effort to promote stability in the region.
The County Government has also extended similar peace building efforts to other communities.
Last month, relief food was distributed to the neighboring Pokot from Baringo to promote peace in Kapedo, a region that has historically experienced tensions.
According to the sub county administrator for Lokichoggio, Obed Echip, the pastrolists had been properly briefed of the exercise and organized into groups for ease of distribution.
“This is the most immediate needs for the Toposa pastrolists, we have also stepped up dialogue between the Toposa and Turkana to foster Coperation as preached by the leadership of the respective nations,” Obed Echip explained.
Speaking after benefitting from the exercise, the evidently jubilant beneficiary said that the food aid would help diversify their food consumption from over reliance on animal products only.
“This distribution has been enabled due to peace, am calling out all the bandits to disembark from the bush to safeguard the peace that we have now,” she said.
Noting that Turkana women could borrow agricultural skills from the Toposa counterparts and reverse food shortage through production, the Toposa expressed readiness to share their skills on sorghum cultivation.
“Our food reserve was already depleted, and we cannot return to our country as our animals will suffer from lack of pasture. We appreciate the county for taking care of us.,” she added.
Other than the team led by CCO Maraka, food distribution exercise in the expansive area is also being spearheaded by the Chief Officer for Energy and Mineral Resources, Triza Amoni in some parts of Nanam ward.
Coming just a few days after the exercise was launched in Turkana North by Governor Lomorukai, food distribution exercise is expected to continue throughout the festive season to cushion vulnerable families from the unfortunate impact of the severe drought for successive years in Turkana.
