Garissa: The National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) on Monday flagged off a peace caravan along the Garissa-Isiolo-Meru borders to promote peace and peaceful coexistence, negotiated grazing, and responsible sharing of water and pasture resources as drought conditions in the region worsen.
According to Kenya News Agency, the peace caravan, which combines peace walks and community dialogue forums on drought, peace and resource sharing, and sports for peace activities, brings together community elders, youth and women leaders, peace committees and grazing committees, county and national government representatives, civil society, and development partners. Over the past years, there have been deadly conflicts that have claimed lives and properties, especially on the Garissa-Isiolo border, where communities fight over pasture and water. NDMA hopes that these community-led peace mechanisms will prevent conflicts and strengthen resilience during drought periods.
Speaking to the press after the flag-off in Modogashe town, NDMA Chief Executive Officer Col (Rtd) Hared Adan called on the communities to accommodate each other and share the available resources cohesively. Adan urged local residents to take advantage of the community-led dispute resolution mechanisms to address challenges without escalating them into conflicts that may lead to loss of life. He emphasized the importance of community elders engaging with young people and working closely with security agencies to address any incidents of insecurity.
‘We are here to promote peace within these communities because there have been tensions, especially during this drought period, because of sharing the scarce resources that are water and pasture. This peace caravan brings together all these communities for four days; they will walk together, eat together and share in the challenges,’ Adan said. He further expressed appreciation for the support from the county governments of Garissa, Isiolo, and Meru.
Lagdera Deputy County Commissioner Solomon Ruto expressed concerns that continuous conflicts had hindered development and deterred investors, thus denying the region economic opportunities. ‘The main cause of conflicts here is issues to do with water and pasture because these two communities are pastoralists. When the drought period comes, communities move from one place to another and this causes conflicts over the resources,’ Ruto said. He noted that concerted efforts had brought calm and peace over the past two years, and the current peace caravan aimed to complement previous gains and stabilize the area, allowing all communities to live together in peace.
