Julius Esinyen Ekeno is leading a five-member team on a skating expedition covering more than 710 kilometers from Nairobi to Lodwar, Turkana County, in a special campaign aimed at promoting peace, unity, and youth empowerment.
The expedition, dubbed “Ride for Peace, Unity and Adventure,” officially flagged off on August 3, 2026, at in Nairobi by the PokotFest organizing team, led by the event’s founder, Brian Ruto. The team will travel through various parts of West Pokot County before arriving in Lodwar, carrying a message of peaceful coexistence, reconciliation, and stronger relations between the Turkana and Pokot communities.
The skating journey forms part of the preparations for PokotFest 2026, a major cultural festival scheduled to take place in November at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The festival is expected to bring together people from different communities to celebrate cultural heritage, promote tourism, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Beyond spreading the message of peace, the expedition seeks to encourage cultural exchange, foster closer ties between neighboring communities, and showcase the tourism potential of both West Pokot and Turkana counties. The organizers believe that sports can serve as a powerful platform for uniting communities while creating meaningful opportunities for young people.
The team is also using the expedition to advocate for the construction of a modern skating facility in Turkana County. They say such a facility would provide young people with a safe environment to develop their skating talents, promote healthy lifestyles, and create new opportunities in sports, employment, and community development.
At every stop along the route, the skaters are expected to engage with residents, community leaders, and youth groups through discussions that encourage peacebuilding, friendship, and social cohesion. Organizers believe the journey will help bridge long-standing differences between communities while laying the foundation for lasting cooperation.
Speaking during the flag-off, Julius Esinyen Ekeno and fellow team member Derick expressed their excitement about the expedition, which is expected to take approximately two weeks to complete. They said the team had prepared extensively for the challenging journey ahead.
“We have spent a long time preparing for this expedition. We are ready to face the challenges on the road and ensure that we deliver our message of peace to every community we meet. We call upon everyone to support us throughout this journey for peace,” said Derick.
The expedition is expected to conclude in Lodwar, where the campaign’s message of peace, unity, and youth development will continue to gain momentum as preparations for PokotFest 2026 move forward.
As the team continues its journey to Lodwar, the organizers have called on residents, community leaders, government agencies, development partners, and the private sector to support the peace initiative and join efforts to empower young people through sports.
