Pastoralist Communities Sign Historic Peace Deal to End Border Conflicts
Participants agreed to work jointly with government agencies to combat cattle rustling and break the cycle of revenge attacks.
Pastoralist communities from Samburu, Isiolo, and Marsabit counties have signed a landmark agreement to end long-standing inter-community border conflicts. Photo/ACCORD.
By Juliet Jerotich
Pastoralist communities from Samburu, Isiolo, and Marsabit counties have signed a landmark agreement to end long-standing inter-community border conflicts.
The peace accord, signed by representatives from Laisamis Ward in Marsabit, Waso Ward in Samburu, and Chari and Ngaremara Wards in Isiolo, marks a critical step toward stability in Kenya’s northern region.
The peace forum was convened by the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC) under the Resilient Approaches in Natural Rangeland Ecosystems (RANGE) programme.
The three-day dialogue brought together elders, youth, morans, women, and local leaders to develop new strategies for peaceful coexistence and address the root causes of conflict.
Participants agreed to work jointly with government agencies to combat cattle rustling and break the cycle of revenge attacks.
They proposed the creation of a community-driven policy framework and closer collaboration with security forces to crack down on armed criminals hiding within their territories.
Joseph Lekalkuli and MCA Mejja Golicha Chari raised concerns over a notorious criminal hideout in Lantana, Samburu East, calling for security operations to dismantle such bases.
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding condemned police officers who retreat during armed raids, urging instead for reinforcement with armored vehicles and advanced weaponry when necessary.
Saiyana Lempara, Programme Manager for FCDC’s RANGE initiative, emphasized the need to involve all stakeholders — including women, minority groups, and morans — in maintaining lasting peace. He encouraged border communities to take responsibility in fostering unity and collaboration.
Josephine Muli, a representative of the Turkana community in Ngaremara, urged communities to invest in education, noting that it would help reduce cattle rustling.
She also called on mothers to build stronger relationships with their sons and guide them away from criminal activities.
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