Feuding Kenyan communities in race to win regional peace

Morans from Turkana, Samburu, Somali and Borana communities at the starting line of the Isiolo 10km Peace Marathon yesterday. Abiud Gichibi (inset) won the race in 34:19:87 while Felix came in second in 43:29:88. The race was meant to foster peace among the warring communities. [PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD]

As the morning clouds drift in the sky, partially obscuring the sun rays piercing through it, a group of young men in traditional sarongs are busy warming up.

Unlike other mornings when they would be preparing themselves to start the long search for pasture and water for the livestock, the group of about 300 young men is huddled in an open field at Ngaremare in Isiolo County, ready for an extraordinary event.

Within minutes, the morans discard their traditional regalia and clubs ready for sport gear.

Just like they prepare to tackle an “enemy” of their community or defend livestock, the men, mostly in their 20s, size up one another, occasionally letting out a war cry.

They are ready to battle, but this is a different war that does not require their well-sharpened spears or a well maintained riffle.

The morans are preparing for the inaugural Isiolo County Peace Marathon.

Weapons dropped

Their assistants gather in one corner, collecting clubs and other weapons from the athletes who are now rearing to go.

According to organisers of the event, the marathon is aimed at finding a lasting solution to the incessant conflict between local communities that has caused loss of lives and theft of livestock.

And as a way of bringing to an end the cycle of violence, the local county government has teamed up with local community leaders and other partners to bring together youth from Turkana, Samburu, Borana, Somali and Meru communities.

In the marathon flagged off by Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo on Wednesday, each community was represented by at least 30 youths, acting as ambassadors of peace.

The 10km marathon was, however, not about who wins, but a symbolic event meant to discourage locals and participants from resorting to violence to solve issues affecting them.

The race, organised by Isiolo County Government, the Northern Rangelands Trust and World Vision, was a precursor to today’s marking of two years since the devolution unit started operating.

Yusuf Huka Jillo, the co-ordinator of the event, said the event was part of the integration and cohesion activity aimed at ending hostility between different local communities. “We want all communities to work together for the prosperity of the county. We need all residents of Isiolo to realise that all resources in the county belong to them and there is no need of fighting,” said Jillo.

The official said concerted effort had been made to bring to end cattle rustling, which has contributed to the deteriorating security situation in the county.

The governor said the event would be held annually to ensure the cohesion programme remains on course. “We have seen our efforts bearing fruit since there is relative peace in our county. We need to have sustained efforts to maintain peace so that our county can become a haven of investment,” said Mr Doyo.

Boniface Bonaiya, 54, who was an exception in the race due to his age, said he felt compelled to participate in the race, since he had seen many locals die or getting maimed in the clashes.

“I’m the oldest among these participants, but if running this race is what will bring peace among us, so be it. We need people to come and invest in this county since it has a lot of potential, but if we continue fighting, no one will come,” said Bonaiya.

Raphael Ekiru, who emerged third in the race, shared the sentiments, saying Isiolo residents had opened a new chapter of peace and co-existence.

At the end of the ceremony, the communities' representatives slaughtered four bulls and feasted. They vowed to end hostility and pledged to promote peace.

The winner of the race, Abiud Gichibi, was awarded 11 goats. The first runner-up, Felix Lekishia, was given nine goats, while the second runner-up Raphael Ekiru took home seven goats.