TURKANA – Communities along the West Pokot–Turkana border on Thursday intensified efforts to strengthen peaceful coexistence and prevent local disputes from escalating into conflict, during a peace engagement involving county officials, peace champions and residents from more than 10 villages.
The engagement, held on 27 August 2026, brought together representatives from Kakong, Kalemngorok, Murum, Kapelmoru, Turkwel, Nasolot, Sarmach, Kases/Karon, Takaywa, Ompolion and other villages in the Kerio area to discuss persistent challenges affecting peaceful coexistence between the neighbouring communities.
Chief Officer for Special Programmes Daniel Lopale led the West Pokot County delegation during the engagement, which was organised and supported by the Free Pentecostal Fellowship in Kenya (FPFK) through its Peace from Heart to Hut initiative.
The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation between neighbouring communities, improving early reporting of emerging conflicts and ensuring disputes are addressed before they escalate.
FPFK representatives, led by Alex Echom and David Kamunai, worked alongside peace champions from the county governments of West Pokot and Turkana to facilitate dialogue with residents.
Ten representatives from villages along the border shared their experiences, concerns and recommendations on how communities can work together to strengthen peace and cooperation.
The engagement builds on previous efforts to address insecurity along the West Pokot–Turkana border. On 28 August 2025, the County Security Committees of the two counties held a joint meeting to address persistent insecurity and banditry in the area, highlighting the need for stronger cooperation and coordinated security measures.
The latest dialogue shifts part of that peace effort to the grassroots, with participants emphasising the role of communities and local leaders in identifying tensions early and resolving disputes before they develop into larger conflicts.
The participants also called for stronger relationships between neighbouring communities and greater involvement of local leaders in resolving disputes, particularly those that could threaten peaceful coexistence.
The engagement underscores the importance of sustained community-led dialogue alongside government security measures in maintaining peace along the West Pokot–Turkana border.
