An armed herder in Turkana West. Leaders from the county, national government and South Sudan are extending peace-building programmes to communities in both countries.
Toposa pastoralists from South Sudan have been included in the Christmas and New festivities by the devolved government of Turkana in Lokichoggio.
Officials say including communities from neighbouring countries is part of efforts to strengthen ties and promote harmony.
Pastoralists from these countries have in the past been included in medical outreaches and livestock vaccination campaigns by Kenyan authorities.
Hundreds of pastoralist families from South Sudan have moved to Lokichoggio in search of pasture and water.
The devolved government has launched a countywide food distribution targeting as many residents as possible.
Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said around 119,000 households, or a population of 714,000, are in dire need of food as drought ravages some parts of the region.
“We set aside Sh550 million for relief food that was passed by the Turkana County Assembly. No shilling will be misappropriated and no grain will go to an official of the county government,” Mr Lomorukai said.
“Every family will receive a bag of maize. We will also buy 10,000 cartoons of cooking oil. This is a milestone. My administration wants to address hunger once and for all.”
Governor Lomorukai spoke as he flagged off a consignment of maize at the National Cereals and Produce Board depot in Lodwar.
Part of the 27,000 bags of maize later arrived in Turkana North and Kibish near the border with Ethiopia. The governor supervised the distribution of the food to the targeted families.
The county government gave 200 bags of maize and cooking oil to pastoralists from South Sudan, with Mr Lomorukai saying it is a critical step towards addressing the needs of the highly mobile community.
County Administration and Disaster Management Chief Officer David Maraka, Sub-County Administrator Obed Echip, MCAs Vincent Ekipor (Lokichoggio), Muna Abdi (Nominated) and Bethwel Kobongin (Songot) helped distribute food.
Mr Maraka said the programme is part of a broader strategy to promote and sustain peaceful co-existence.
“Mobility often leaves the pastoralist households underserved. By providing them with food and essential services, we aim to strengthen relations and harmony between communities in Kenya and neighbouring countries,” he said.
The distribution of food builds on previous interventions, including providing animal health services and treatment under the devolved government’s Kimormor programme.
Additionally, Turkana County has rolled out plans to form joint resource-sharing committees to ensure sustainable utilisation of resources.
The initiative aligns with a recent inter-community dialogue that resolved to silence the guns, adhere to disarmament calls and uphold peace among cross-border pastoralists.
These resolutions are part of a wider effort to promote stability in the region, authorities say.
The county government has also extended peace-building efforts to other communities.
Last month, relief food was distributed to neighbouring West Pokot County from Baringo to promote peace in Kapedo, a region that has experienced tension and bloodshed.
Mr Echip said the pastoralists had been properly briefed on the food distribution and organised into groups.
“This is the most immediate need for the pastoralist households from South Sudan. We have also stepped up dialogue between the Toposa and Turkana to foster cooperation as preached by the leadership of the two countries,” Mr Echip said.
One of the women said the food she received would help diversify consumption since almost all the families in the community only eat meat, milk and other livestock products.
“This food distribution has been made possible because of peace in South Sudan and Kenya. I call on bandits and other criminal gangs to leave the bush and help maintain the peace we are experiencing,” the woman said.
She added that women in Turkana County can borrow farming skills from their Toposa colleagues and help fight food insecurity.
The households from South Sudan pledged to share their sorghum and millet production skills and experiences with Kenyans.
“Our food reserves were depleted and we cannot return to South Sudan now because the animals will die. We thank authorities in Kenya for taking care of us,” the woman said.
County Energy and Mineral Resources Chief Officer, Triza Amoni, led the distribution of the food and other relief items in Nanam ward.
The distribution of the food is expected to continue throughout the festive season.
Governor Lomorukai said the national and county governments would do all they can to cushion vulnerable families from the impacts of the severe drought “for as long as it takes”.
