Makutano town: A grassroot peace crusader in West Pokot County, elder and businessman, Wilson Tonapa has been honored for his outstanding contribution in fostering community harmony, unity, and peaceful coexistence in the North Rift region. The recognition ceremony was held at a popular hotel in Makutano Town, West Pokot County, bringing together dignitaries from across the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, attendees included officials from the Ministry of Interior and National Government Coordination, officials from the Jamhuri Kenya Awards, county government officials, local elders, the clergy, and community members drawn from as far as Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and the Pokot community of Uganda. During the occasion, Senior Assistant Secretary at the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, Clause Obote, representing the Secretary Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, Madam Josephine Onunga, praised Wilson Tonapa for his commitment to grassroot peacebuilding through the Lonapa Peace Foundation.
In her message, Onunga commended Tonapa for strengthening grassroots peace initiatives across the North Rift region. She noted that the forum’s theme, ‘Unity in Diversity: Strengthening Grassroots Peace Networks,’ underscored the Ministry’s shared responsibility to adopt innovative peace approaches responsive to community concerns and the evolving nature of conflict in Kenya. She emphasized that Kenya’s diversity should be seen as a source of strength, providing a strong foundation for resilience, stability, and shared prosperity.
Onunga observed that peace is a critical enabler of development, directly contributing to the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). She highlighted that peace and stability form the bedrock for inclusive development and socio-economic empowerment of citizens. Onunga further noted that frontier counties, including West Pokot and the wider North Rift region, are strategic in the national peace and security architecture.
Despite historical security challenges, such as resource-based conflicts and inter-communal tensions, Onunga acknowledged the progress in the North Rift on peace, regional stability, and inter-communal cohesion. She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting peace, security, and social cohesion across the country, emphasizing community policing partnerships and people-centered, preventive security.
She stressed that sustainable security requires trust between citizens and the state. The forum celebrating the Lonapa Peace Foundation’s efforts provided an opportunity to deliberate on sustainable security strategies and community-driven approaches to peace. Onunga expressed appreciation to Tonapa for convening the award ceremony and commended all peace champions for their contributions to stability, urging stakeholders to foster unity in diversity.
Kubai Thuranira, CEO of Jamhuri Kenya Awards, highlighted the need to support individuals and organizations involved in peace promotions. He noted that individuals like Tonapa, who engage in development and peace-building efforts, deserve support from the government and partners. Former Simat/Kapseret Ward MCA Edwin Korir Maraswo commended individuals who surrendered firearms and renounced banditry, urging them to lead in promoting peace.
Wilson Tonapa, the award recipient, called on leaders to champion peace and resist forces undermining peace and security. He expressed gratitude for the recognition, viewing it as a responsibility to continue advocating for peace. Through the Lonapa Peace Foundation, Tonapa remains committed to promoting peace building and conflict resolution, inspiring communities to strengthen resilience, unity, and social justice.
Tonapa has received two prestigious awards from Jamhuri Kenya Awards. In 2024, he was honored as Humanitarian Activist Champion of the Year at the University of Nairobi. In 2025, he was recognized as a Peace Ambassador-Great Rift Valley region for his contribution to promoting grassroots peace and stability during a ceremony at Argyle Grand Hotel.
