Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai has pledged to renew peace talks with the leadership of Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan.
He said he aims at strengthening good neighbourliness, cooperation and promoting peaceful coexistence among the ‘Ateker’ communities.
The Ateker communities include Teso (both in Kenya and Uganda), Turkana (Kenya), Karamojong’ (Uganda), Jie (Uganda), Toposa (South Sudan), and Nyangatom (Ethiopia).
He spoke on Saturday after meeting delegations from Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan who graced his inauguration at Ekaales centre in Lodwar.
“We had meetings with leaders from Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan on how we can solve the insecurity along our borders. We have agreed to commit a lot of time and resources into peace building because our borders are volatile,” he said.
Lomorukai said he wants to ensure peace exists along the three borders for communities to live in harmony and share available resources peacefully.
He urged the three governments to commit to investing in cross-border social infrastructure, including water, roads, health and education, to be shared by communities.
Lomorukai said such development projects will boost cross-border trade, end conflict over limited resources such as water and pasture, develop the region and improve livelihoods.
The governor met a delegation from Ethiopia led by Lore Kakuta, the head of the Southern Region Pastoralists Affairs Bureau.
Kakuta called for the empowerment of peace actors across the corridor and a revamp of cross-border trade.
Lomorukai also met the South Sudan delegation led by the governor of Eastern Equatoria State, Louis Lobong Lojore.
Governor Lobong’ agreed on the need to address emerging security challenges with speed to avoid conflicts.
He decried the role conflicts had impacted the region’s growth and called for unity among leaders.
Governor Lomorukai later held talks with a delegation from Uganda led by MP of Jie Kotido District, Lokii Peter Abrahams.
Lokii termed the election of Governor Lomorukai a game changer in peace efforts due to his track record in pursuit of peaceful coexistence.
“We aim to strengthen and enhance peace between Karamoja of Uganda and Turkana of Kenya. During the drought, Turkana pastoralists migrate to Uganda in search of pasture and water for their livestock. We accommodate but during their stay we experience conflict between the two communities, we need to end this,” he said.
Lokii urged governments of the two states to facilitate the construction of a road from Turkana to Moroto, Uganda, to open up business opportunities and provide water for livestock, health services and livestock drugs.
