Kapedo Peace Initiative: Turkana and Baringo residents launch peace campaigns

For decades, this area has been plagued by violence and insecurity, a festering wound that has defied all attempts at resolution. A one hour drive from Marigat to Kapedo is a harrowing experience, a testament to the deep-seated animosity that permeates the region.

Public transport has long been abandoned, replaced by the dubious safety of security vehicles. Residents fear for their lives, their daily needs dictated by the constant threat of violence. Even within Kapedo itself, the two communities remain divided, refusing to share facilities such as hospitals, further fueling the simmering resentment.

In an effort to break the stalemate, Interpeace, an international organization dedicated to peacebuilding, organized a meeting between the Pokot and Turkana elders. 

The gathering took place by the Suguta River, a neutral ground where the two sides could air their grievances. The meeting lasted for over four hours, each side pointing accusing fingers at the other, their words laced with suspicion and distrust.

The central issues were livestock theft and boundary disputes, problems exacerbated by political leaders vying for control of the region's lucrative geothermal resources in Siale. 

Interpeace President lamented the government's neglect of the region, emphasizing the need for development and education to combat the illiteracy that has been identified as a root cause of the insecurity in the Suguta belt.

The Kapedo conflict is a complex and multifaceted issue, deeply rooted in historical grievances and exacerbated by political machinations. Finding a lasting solution will require a concerted effort from all parties involved, a commitment to genuine reconciliation and a willingness to address the underlying causes of the conflict. 

Only then can the people of Kapedo hope for a future free from fear and violence, a future where they can live together in peace and harmony.