Lodwar, September 3, 2026 (Public Communications and Media Relations)

Turkana and West Pokot county governments have reaffirmed their commitment to peace, cross-border cooperation, and resilience among pastoralist communities. This follows a one-day consultative meeting in Lodwar that brought together senior county and national government officials, and development partners.

Turkana was represented by Chief Officers Moses Korea (Office of the Governor), Janerose Tioko (Resource Mobilization and Partnerships), and officers from peace, livestock, and disaster management, alongside administrators from Loima and Lokiriama.

In his opening remarks, Korea stressed the need for closer collaboration between the two counties in addressing cross-border conflict, pastoralist movement, and shared resource pressures.

He noted the role of the Directorate of Peace Building and Conflict Management in driving preventive dialogue between communities and administrators.

In her closing remarks, Tioko emphasised that lasting peace and development depend on coordinated action across county and national government, communities, and development partners. She urged partners to continue backing government-led initiatives rather than parallel efforts.

Three concrete action points were discussed. These include reviewing the conditions attached to Kenya’s 14 approved inter-county and national cross-border routes used by pastoralists; a proposed joint visit to the Kalomwae mining area to support peacebuilding in the wake of recent Turkana–Pokot conflict, and strengthening El Niño preparedness for pastoralist communities.

The meeting was organised in collaboration with Danish Refugee Council (DRC).

Present were Turkana Central Deputy County Commissioner Rodgers Otieno, West Pokot’s CECM Esther Chelimo and Chief Officer for Special Programmes Daniel Lopale among other senior county government officials from both counties.

Representatives from DRC and Caritas Lodwar were also present.