Peace
Turkana peace activists have held a peace forum which concluded on Monday in Lokichoggio. The forum supported by LOKADO, Kenya Red-cross and Danish Refugee Council (DRC) brought together both state and non-state actors to evaluate past peace building interventions and to come up with a long-lasting peace resolution in the Northern Kenya County.
While officially closing the forum, Titus Lokorikeju, the Turkana County Director for peace, emphasized the uniqueness of the peace and security challenges in different areas and urged actors to develop a community tailored peace resolution.
He stated that the conflicts in Turkana South and East corridors, bordering other counties, significantly differed from those in Turkana West, Turkana North, and Loima, which share international borders. He stressed the importance of involving local elders and communities to create effective homegrown solutions.
“We need to establish a joint information desk to centralize communication and coordinate interventions to prevent duplication,” he recommended.
Deputy Director for peace Benjamin Losinyono praised the legislative framework for peace interventions, citing the Peace Building and Conflict Management Act of 2022 and corresponding policy document. He encouraged peace actors to familiarize themselves with the Act and work within the legal framework.
William Losengei, Deputy Director for Administration in the Office of the Governor emphasized on the importance of joint planning of International Peace Day, Lokiriama Peace Accord, Atanayecce as well commemoration and execution of peace interventions.
He offered that pooling resources would enhance emergency response and improve reactions to early warnings of conflict escalation. Lokichoggio Division ACC, Victor Wanjohi reiterated National Government’s commitment to bolstering security in the region.
During the three-day meeting, discussions centered on topics on water scarcity as a trigger of conflict, intra-community conflicts and the role of local leadership in promoting peace among neighboring communities. The forum brought together participants from the National Government, County Government, community leaders, and Non-Governmental Organizations.