- For two years now, the residents of the West Pokot- Turkana border have cultivated this annual ritual aimed at enhancing peaceful coexistence.
- As has been the case in the past two years, the MPs are present to give leadership and political boost.
Image: HANDOUT
It is a few minutes past 10 am on August 24, and the residents have started trooping in at the meeting point in Naoyapong, Kacheliba.
These are Kacheliba and Loima, Turkana residents and since the herding duty has been taken over by children during the holidays, adults are available for this important peace meeting.
It is the second such meeting after the inaugural in 2023, initiated by MPs Protus Akujah (Loima) and Titus Lotee (Kacheliba) who appear to have clicked in the war on cattle rustling.
For two years now, the residents of the West Pokot- Turkana border have cultivated this annual ritual aimed at enhancing peaceful coexistence.
As has been the case in the past two years, the MPs are present to give leadership and political boost.
Their presence debunks the belief that politicians fan violence in the semi-arid North Rift.
The residents say the meeting is aimed at addressing the escalating tensions between the two communities, which could potentially jeopardise years of peaceful coexistence.
Community leaders and government officials underscore the importance of dialogue and collaboration in resolving conflicts and fostering unity.
The meeting marks an important milestone in cementing the relative calm that has been witnessed in the past two years and celebrating the gains achieved following the initiative of the two legislators.
Image: HANDOUT
The meeting is graced by a cross-section of leaders, including government administrators, members of the security team, local MCAs, religious leaders, kraal heads and representatives from peace organisations.
Reformed cattle rustlers, like others who have spoken at the meeting, placed a premium on dialogue and a comprehensive approach to conflict resolution for sustainable peace to be realised.
Both MPs emphasise that urgent and concerted efforts are needed to stop violence and promote peace.
MP Akujah reflects on the historical context of past conflicts and underscores the benefits of unity for development and societal well-being.
He points out that a few individuals exacerbated the issues and advocated for their accountability under the law.
On his part, MP Titus Lotee echoes the sentiments, calling for collaboration and the promotion of peace initiatives to attract investments in the area.
"The two of us (MPs) are here to show that we are united in fighting cattle fights," he says.
The meeting ends with there being resolutions aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among communities in the area.
They include the strategy for compensation for loss of lives and animals, recovery of stolen animals and arrest of suspects to face the law.
Others include the resolution of border disputes and addressing concerns about gold mining at Naut and resolutions on animal markets
Interior PS Raymond Omollo praised the two leaders for initiating and sustaining structured dialogue between the two communities.
"What Akujah and Lotee have done is quite commendable. I am happy they implemented what we agreed upon last year as part of our strategy aimed at sustainable peace in the area," he says.
"I know there are many such peace and conflict resolution initiatives in other parts of the country. I urge all leaders to play an active role in bringing our people together. My office fully supports these efforts."
Image: HANDOUT
For decades until, about two years ago, the Pokot and Turkana communities had been fighting over resources manifested in massive and frequent cattle rustling thefts.
Peace agreements were made and broken mostly before the ink on thumbprint signatures dried up.
Here, guns reigned supreme. Elders' agreements remained word of mouth.
The youth, full of energy, rebelled on every word the elders agreed on.
After all, they need to raid neighbouring communities to get cattle for the bride prize.
Who is supposed to remain a bachelor in a society where status comes with the number of wives and children? Who can afford to be a laughingstock in the village?
Even though relative calm has been witnessed for the past few years, there have been sporadic but fierce cases of cattle thefts which have led to the loss of dozens of lives and livelihoods.