Meeting to discuss Pokot, Turkana feuds called off

By PETER OCHIENG

Kapenguria, Kenya: The planned meeting  to end perpetual clashes between the Turkana and Pokot communities scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday has been called off.

The cancellation of the meeting came as another raid was reported in parts of Turkana County where a number of livestock were stolen on Sunday afternoon.

Pokot and Turkana elected leaders had indicated that they would hold the peace meeting with other national and county government officials in Kapenguria to find a lasting solution to the conflict.

Decades-long feuds

Loima MP Protus Akujah confirmed the Sunday raids, saying it was unfortunate that they had taken place at a time when they were working on a strategy to end the decades-long feuds between the two communities.

“To make matters worse, we even realised that our counterparts from Pokot were not keen on the joint peace meeting,” he said.

He said area Governor Josephat Nanok had agreed to cater for the transportation and facilitation of other local leaders to attend the meeting.

“We were planning to travel to Kapenguria on Monday before the attack took place. There is a likelihood that the raid was meant to jeorpardises it,” he explained.

Turkana South MP James Lomenen expressed concern over what he described as lack of cooperation from their neighbours in efforts to ensure peaceful coexistence between the two communities.

 “We were going to discuss important matters such as border demarcation, cattle rustling and resource sharing. It is unfair for other leaders to say they are not ready,” he said.

Turkana  Governor Joseph Nanok said he had received a message confirming the rescheduling of the meeting to May 28 and 29 at the same venue, to allow for leaders from both areas to agree on the agenda.

In a swift rejoinder, Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin refuted claims that they had sabotaged the meeting, saying it had been called off because some leaders were not aware about it.

He said he was the one who had proposed the meeting, adding that the postponement was meant to ensure all leaders attend.

Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo echoed Kachapin’s sentiments, adding that leaders from both parties must be involved in efforts to end perennial clashes between the two communities.