Turkana government is enforcing community-based initiatives, like the use of elders to combat banditry in the region/ KNA
Governor Jeremiah Lomurukai says chiefs, elders, church leaders and community leaders have the capacity to help wipe out banditry if they are actively involved in seeking local solutions.
He says, though security systems have played a critical role in dealing with banditry, there is need to back up the efforts through the use of locally-based solutions.
“Our people themselves must see the need to co-exist peacefully by ensuring that they discard the culture of banditry,” Lomurukai said.
He spoke as authorities in Aroo subcounty successfully recovered and returned cattle stolen from the Ngikamatak community of Kotaruk, Loima subcounty.
The county government spearheaded the recovery with support from the Danish Refugee Council under the Peace Actors Forum of state and non-state actors driving conflict resolution and peace building in Turkana.
Ebongon Lomongin, who is assistant director for Peace Building and Conflict Management, said the handover of the recovered animals was a goodwill gesture aimed at restoring trust and preventing violence.
Katilu ward administrator Mark Koto echoed similar sentiments during a community dialogue meeting held in the area.
He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence through ongoing engagement with communities.
Kotol emphasised the urgent need to end traditional cattle rustling, which, he said, has been a source of persistent insecurity in the region.
The peace-building approach seeks to replace cycles of retaliation through structured dialogue and restorative justice.
“It aims to create a framework for long-term stability and security in the region,” he said.
The recovery process involved peace committees, assistant chiefs, assistant county commissioners, village administrators and elders from both Kotaruk and Katilu.
Similar interventions have been used to defuse tensions along Ugandan, Ethiopian and South Sudanese borders where authorities have recovered and returned stolen livestock on more than 10 occasions.
Others at the forum included peace officer Joshua Eregae and village administrators Amos Ekeno (Korinyang), Simale Godfrey (Kotaruk) and Dorcas Ereng (Katilu).
Katilu assistant county commissioner Edison Ongaro represented the national government.
