Boundary the issue between Pokot, Turkana communities

The incessant conflicts between Pokot and Turkana communities have been attributed to the long standing boundary and resource tussle in the area.

The land in question, which emanates from Marich Pass area, 194 kilometres to Lodwar and Kainuk, is joined with the Turkwel River, which is rich with fertile soils that has seen Non-Governmental organisations attempt to woo both parties to subsistence farming.

Areas around Turkwel, including Amolem, Takaywa, Sarmach, Nyangaita, Alale, Lokiriama and Ombolion are among the worst hit, with close to 30 deaths reported in the past four months.

Turkana leaders on the other hand are battling it for land situated in Kapedo, where 21 police officers and three civilians were recently killed by bandits and their firearms stolen.

The two communities have been fighting over resources along the border region, which has led to bloodbath as killings persist.

Leaders from Baringo East have constantly claimed that Kapedo and Lomelo regions belong to them, but has been annexed unfairly by the Turkana community.

“Kapedo is in Turkana East County and is administered by Turkana County government. It is a wonder that Baringo leaders allege that it is theirs, without valid proof and only rely on the 1963 boundary map,” said Turkana East Member of Parliament Nicholas Ngikor.

The rift between the two communities has constantly widened, with the county chiefs and national leaders pointing an accusing finger at each other without reaching a formidable solution.

Attempts by the leaders, who recently organised a peace meeting initiative, aimed to restore normalcy and avert the conflict were futile as both leaders snubbed the function.

Turkana County Governor Josphat Nanok, has urged the Government to form a commission to review the land demarcations soon to avert more damage. “The Government as a matter of urgency, should address this boundary issue. Further delay will mean more impunity and deaths,” said Nanok.

Samuel Tororei, a commissioner at the National Land Commission, said the aggrieved counties should resolve their differences in accordance with the Constitution.

Speaking to The Standard on Sunday in Eldoret recently, Tororei said both the Pokot and Turkana county governments ought to seek a lasting solution by petitioning the Senate to shed light on the issue.

“It is surprising that after 50 years of independence, we are still killing Kenyans due to boundary issues. The Constitution is clear that the Senate has the will to solve the stalemate as per the law,” he said.

Mr Tororei said the Constitution, gives the oppressed county a forum to seek a solution from the Senate, which is bestowed with mechanisms instead of engaging in killings and destruction of property. “What is the difference between cattle rustling and robbery with violence? The locals involved should end the vice and address their concerns through the Constitution,” he said.

The National Commission on Implementation of the Constitution chairman Charles Nyachae said it is only the Constitution that will guide issues on boundaries. “We must be guided by the Constitution and not cultural settings to solve these conflicts. The Constitution does not recognise any inter-community boundaries,” he said.

Mr Nyachae who spoke in Eldoret said local leaders must understand that colonial demarcations still exist but, more importantly, we have the county boundaries, which recognise all people within the county irrespective of tribes.

The conflicts have also been attributed to slow development pace in the semi-arid counties with investors shying away from the region due to high levels of insecurity.

Leaders in West Pokot have called for truce as they press the Government to indicate the boundary with Turkana counties to help end constant conflicts.

The Governor, Simon Kachapin claimed some leaders issued negative press statements that undermined the peace searching initiative they had initiated.

“We condemn acts of banditry, but the current generalisation of a community or a county, whenever bandits attack is not acceptable. We ought to watch what we say as leaders so as not to aggravate the peace that we often seek,” he said.

Kachapin observed some statements issued by some leaders from the neighbouring county and negative publicity tend to scare away investors hence retarding development.

Turkana Senator John Munyes on the other hand insists that the boundary conflict can end if the military officers enforce a 10-year cohesive programme by collecting illegal arms held by locals.

Munyes in reference to how the Uganda government tackled the situation, the only solution is for President Uhuru Kenyatta to let Kenya Defence Forces take over the areas for ten years.

“President Yoweri Museveni ended the border conflict previously persistent after the intervention of security personnel that ran for over five years, the only solution is for the President to let KDF take over the areas for ten years to pacify the area by mopping out illegal arms as a long term activity,” explained Munyes.