President William Ruto is expected to grace the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival on Thursday.
Turkana County is set to host local and international visitors for the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival scheduled for October 12 to 14.
Ruto is expected to arrive in Lodwar on Wednesday to open the 7th edition of the Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival known as Tobongulore, meaning welcome back home.
Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai said the festival is meant to promote peaceful coexistence among the Ateker communities.
The Ateker communities include Turkana, Iteso of Kenya, Karamoja, Jie of Uganda and Topsa of South Sudan and Nyangatom, Merile from Ethiopia
"The Turkana Tourism and Cultural festival is meant to foster peaceful coexistence among the communities within the counties and across neighbouring countries including Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan," he said.
Lomorukai says the event will host local indigenous communities to promote peace, cultural exchange and tourism.
"This year’s festival will showcase an array of the rich cultural heritage of the Turkana people, including traditional food, colourful Turkana ushanga beadwork, traditional regalia, crafts and artefacts, folk songs and dances, oral narrations of the rich history and lifestyle of the Turkana community," he said.
Turkana borders three neighbouring countries including Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan and also West Pokot and Baringo Counties.
For years they have been experiencing conflicts with neighbouring communities for the scramble of pasture, water and land boundaries leading to displacement of people, loss of lives and livestock.
