Peace remains the cornerstone of sustainable security, social cohesion and economic development, particularly in communities historically affected by intercommunal conflicts. In a renewed commitment to lasting stability, a peace dialogue between the Pokot and Turkana communities was held at Orwa in Pokot Central, West Pokot County, bringing together community leaders and security stakeholders to strengthen mutual understanding, rebuild trust and chart a shared path towards peaceful coexistence.
The meeting was chaired by West Pokot County Commissioner Mr David Ntawuasa Saruni and attended by the Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) Commander, Brigadier Ahmed Saman, alongside other senior KDF leaders. The engagement underscored the importance of sustained collaboration between government leadership, security agencies and local communities in addressing the underlying causes of insecurity.
Addressing the gathering, the OMU Commander, Brigadier Saman, emphasised that lasting peace cannot be achieved through security interventions alone but requires genuine community commitment, mutual respect and collective responsibility. He observed that dialogue provides an important platform for resolving longstanding grievances, strengthening relationships and preventing disputes from escalating into violence. He further urged both communities to reject retaliatory attacks and embrace peaceful mechanisms for resolving differences.
The Commander also reaffirmed OMU’s commitment to supporting community-driven peace initiatives while maintaining a firm focus on its mandate of restoring security and safeguarding lives and property. He noted that meaningful cooperation between communities and security agencies remains essential in addressing banditry, cattle rustling and other threats that undermine stability and development.
The dialogue provided an opportunity for representatives from both communities to express their concerns, explore areas of common interest and renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence. It also reinforced the understanding that security is a shared responsibility and that enduring stability can only be achieved when communities become active partners in protecting their collective future.
Ultimately, the engagement reaffirmed that peace is not merely the absence of conflict but the presence of trust, justice, tolerance and shared responsibility. Through sustained dialogue, cooperation and coordinated security efforts, the Pokot and Turkana communities can transform historical divisions into opportunities for unity, prosperity and lasting regional stability.
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