Authorities in Turkana, Aroo Sub-County, have successfully recovered and returned cattle stolen from the Ngikamatak community of Kotaruk, Loima Sub-County, easing tensions and averting possible retaliatory raids.
The operation was spearheaded by the national and county governments with support from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) under the Peace Actors Forum, a platform bringing together state and non-state actors driving conflict resolution and peacebuilding in Turkana.
Assistant Director for Peace Building and Conflict Management, Ebongon Lomongin, said the handover was a goodwill gesture aimed at restoring trust and preventing violence.
“This is a critical step in fostering mutual respect between communities and shows how traditional conflict resolution mechanisms can help prevent cycles of revenge,” he stated.
Katilu Ward Administrator Mark Kotol echoed the sentiments during a community dialogue meeting. He reaffirmed the county’s commitment to promoting peaceful coexistence through ongoing engagement with local communities. Kotol emphasized the urgent need to end traditional cattle rustling, which he described as a persistent source of insecurity in the region.
The peacebuilding approach seeks to replace cycles of retaliation with structured dialogue and restorative justice, aiming to create a framework for long-term stability and security in Turkana.
The recovery process involved peace committees, assistant chiefs, assistant county commissioners, village administrators, and elders from both Kotaruk and Katilu. Similar interventions have previously helped defuse tensions along the Ugandan, Ethiopian, and South Sudanese borders, where authorities have recovered and returned stolen livestock on more than ten occasions.
Among the speakers at the event were peace officer Joshua Eregae, Korinyang Village Administrator Amos Ekeno, Kotaruk Village Administrator Simale Godfrey, and Katilu Village Administrator Dorcas Ereng. The national government was represented by Katilu Assistant County Commissioner Edison Ongaro.
By Peter Gitonga
