Loya, 3rd July 2024 (Governor’s Press Service)– In a bid to strengthen long-standing peace agreement between Turkana and Pokot communities in the Loya-Naoyapong corridor, a Joint Peace Committee is advocating for the adoption of traditional compensation methods to address plight of the victims of the recent bandit attacks.
This initiative, the committee says is meant to fortify peaceful co-existence between the two communities by replacing retaliatory violence with structured dialogues.
The move also received the approval of the Ateker cross border and Local Councils III forum, chaired by Sammy Losuban.
“We ought to advocate for application of traditional compensation model for victims of any attacks,” said Aporon Lomulen, a member of the peace committee.
The area member of County Assembly, Hon. Lawrence Lopayo, advocated for the approach, noting that it had the capacity to contribute to lasting peace in the corridor and, promotion of trade, education and better livelihoods.
The approach, was also lauded by the elders and peace committee members as a method that will promote reconciliation and grant reprieve for affected families.
The Director for Peace Building and Conflict Management, Titus Lokorikeju, emphasised that incoperating traditional compensation with other peace building efforts would further boost peaceful co-existence in the area.
While calling on professionals from the area to give the committe a chance to advance the use of traditional compensation, Director Lokorikeju appreciated the support of peace actors forum and the intervention by agency for Cross-Border Pastoralists Development(APaD) as an implementing partner of the peace program by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC).
Alale Division ACC, Peter Njuguna reiterated national Government’s commitment to bolstering security in the area adding that they would cooperate with the peace Committes to oversee the successful implementation of the proposed approach.
It is expected that the committe of elders and members of the peace council will kick off their sittings in determining the compensation in a week’s time and report back to the authorities for action.
