Kenya’s Special Peace Envoy, Hon. John Munyes, has urged the Turkana community to embrace dialogue to resolve disputes, warning that ongoing conflict delays development and destroys local livelihoods. Speaking during a high-level peace initiative on Tuesday, Munyes emphasized that sustainable peace is the foundation for economic growth along the vital Kenya–Ethiopia corridor. He noted that when neighboring communities coexist peacefully, local trade expands, regional infrastructure improves, and livelihoods around Lake Turkana are significantly strengthened.
The Peace Envoy delivered his remarks at Kangibeyo Kraal in Lapur Ward, where hundreds of members from the Turkana, Nyangatom, and Dassanech (Merile) communities gathered for a historic cross-border dialogue. Organized by Turkana Pastoralist Development Organization (TUPADO) through the SPREAD Project in partnership with Caritas SODO, the summit brought together community elders, peace actors, and government officials to directly address livestock theft, resource disputes, and security challenges affecting border residents.
During the gathering, community leaders successfully defused brief security tensions after Turkana pastoralists alleged that 14 donkeys had been stolen by members of the Dassanech community. Local leaders pledged to investigate the claims through acceptable joint mechanisms, assuring participants that the matter would be resolved peacefully to protect cross-border relations and rebuild trust among neighboring pastoralists.
Addressing broader environmental challenges, delegates noted that climate change is severely increasing pressure on pasture and water, driving more frequent cross-border livestock movements. To prevent future resource-driven clashes, community representatives agreed that coordinated management of shared grazing lands and continuous, open communication are critical to maintaining stability across the border region.
To safeguard long-term security, the meeting resolved to institutionalize regular cross-border dialogues and strengthen local Community Action Groups. Delegates also agreed to promote cultural exchange visits and jointly execute regional peace action plans, establishing proactive early warning systems to quickly defuse emerging conflicts along the Kenya–Ethiopia border.
