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Boundary disputes, cause of perennial Turkana fights – MPs

Residents claimed Toposa pastoralists have encroached their territory.

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by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News20 November 2023 - 11:02
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In Summary


  • MPs noted that the reservists are needed due to the unique security situation in the county and its vastness.
  • At the same time, the Committee called for a review of the security set up along the borders to encourage cohesion. 
Parliamentary committee members with security officers during a meeting at Lokichogio.

MPs have vowed to ensure boundary disputes in Turkana are addressed as a solution to the perennial insecurity situation in the region.

Speaking after ending their fact-finding mission in the county, the parliamentary committee on administration and internal security also undertook to ensure more police reservists were deployed.

Committee vice chair Dido Rasso noted that border disputes between Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot and that between Kenya and South Sudan and Kenya and Uganda were to blame for the endless insecurity in the area.

“What we are seeking to achieve is a lasting solution because we have to coexist with other communities as everyone has a right to live in their county of birth,” Rasso told a public baraza at Lokichogio.

The deployment of police reservists, he said, will go a long way to supplement the operations of the National Police Service.

He said the reservists are needed due to the unique security situation in the county and its vastness.

At Lokichogio Sub County, the Committee heard that a border dispute was to blame for the frequent fights between the Toposa of South Sudan and the Turkana community.

Residents of Turkana claimed that Toposa pastoralists have encroached on their territory.

Committee members Protus Akuja (Loima), Mburu Kahangara (Lari) and Elgeiyo Marakwet woman representative Caroline Ngelechei expressed concerns over the lack of deployment of Kenya Defence Forces in all entry points as Sudan has done on their side of the border.

They, however, assured the subcounty security officials that they would push to ensure that all border points have officers deployed to man them.

At the same time, the Committee called for a review of the security set-up along the borders to encourage cohesion and a multi-agency approach towards mainstreaming border management.

“We want all the agencies deployed to this border county to develop synergies and work together. This is the only way we shall achieve peace and security in this county,” Rasso held.

He further challenged the counties in the troubled areas to offer support by purchasing vehicles for security agencies as part of their contribution to enhancing security in their counties.

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