Leaders urge State to end Turkana-Pokot border killings, raids

Turkana leaders want the national government to mediate between the Turkana and Pokot communities to end the perennial conflicts affecting them.

Speaking at the Lokiriama Peace Accord commemoration on Sunday, the leaders said they were tired of killings and raids along the Pokot-Turkana border.

Governor Josphat Nanok said he was saddened by the loss of lives and destruction of property along the volatile border yet the national government and international community remained silent.

"It is sad that the Government and the international community have remained quiet despite our losses along the Pokot-Turkana corridor," Mr Nanok said.

He urged the Government to arrest the insecurity situation and restore peace to enable residents participate in national development.

LOUD SILENCE

County Assembly Deputy Speaker Philip Ekwom said he was disappointed by the Government's silence despite continued conflict in the region.

"I am disappointed that people are still dying along the Turkana-Pokot border yet the Government is quiet. I do not know whether there are some regions that are more important than others," he said.

He said the killings were unwarranted and urged the Government to ensure that peace prevails.

Turkana County Commissioner Julius Mathenge said peace was a collective responsibility and urged all residents to be involved in initiatives aimed at bringing peace along the border.

"We should all come together for the sake of peace in our neighbourhood because without peace, we can never live comfortably," he said.

The Lokiriama Peace Accord is commemorated annually to celebrate the signing of a pact between the Turkana and Matheniko of Uganda in 1973 in a bid to stop raids along the Kenya-Uganda border.