Lodwar 23rd, August 2024 (Governor’s press service)
The County Government, in collaboration with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and supported by UN Migration, has successfully concluded a transhumance assessment tracking survey aimed at boosting early warning systems to prevent conflicts associated with the movement of livestock.
The survey, which collected and analyzed data from ten strategically located sites along the local and cross border transhumance routes and corridors, was presented at a meeting attended by officials from both the national and county governments in Turkana.
The identified sites were chosen for their potential to provide critical information necessary for developing early warning alerts to be used by local peace actors to avert conflicts.
Speaking during the presentation of the survey findings, IOM Program Officer John Hudayi highlighted that the study sites met the desired characteristics, making them valuable sources of information for early warning systems.
The survey focused on detecting unusual fluctuations, such as a sudden increase in animal populations, which could indicate potential conflicts along the migration routes.
Hudayi noted that the dynamic nature of transhumance assessment plays a crucial role in informing displacement tracking matrices, contributing to more effective conflict prevention strategies.
The survey also mapped out stopover points along the routes, which are essential for animal rest, pasture access, and veterinary services.
Program Manager at Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany (VSF), David Owino, emphasized that the data collected could also be used to determine the vulnerability index of populations in transit, including migrants, pastoralists, displaced communities, and host populations.
Assistant Director for Peace Building and Conflict Management, Geoffrey Lomongin, lauded the survey’s outcomes, stating that it has laid a strong foundation for evidence-based conflict prevention.
While stressing that the success of the early warning system hinges on the actions of officers responsible for collecting and relaying the data, Lomongin called on officers to fully embrace the proposals of the survey.
Lomongin also pointed out that the survey integrates weather pattern changes as a potential source of information for identifying anomalies that could lead to conflict. He urged stakeholders to embrace the survey as a vital tool for peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
Data for the survey was collected from key sites including Kibish, Kokuro, Oropoi, Lokichoggio, Naipa, Urum, Kangirisae, Lokapel, Kakongu, and Kochodin, chosen for their proximity to local and cross-border migration routes within the Kenya-Uganda-South transhumance corridors.
The meeting was attended by various county officials and stakeholders, including Lobuin Daniel (DD Administration), Moses Nawoton (DD-DRM), Aremon George (Assistant Director),Joshua Eregae (county peace building Officer),Symon Enyapu (Senior administrative officer)as well as sub-county and village administrators.
County Security team was represented by Gideon Ombongi (Turkana South DCC), Peter Mwangi (DCC Turkana North), Tom Otieno (DCC), Kinyanjui Dominic (ACC), Tobias Sambu (ACC), Evans Kimoni Ondere (ACC), Patrick Mwangi (ACC-Kibish), along with a host of local chiefs.
