Youth leaders from across the region have called for stronger investments in education, economic empowerment and digital connectivity as key solutions to conflicts affecting communities within the Karamoja Cluster region.
The resolutions were contained in a 15-point Kapenguria Peace Declaration presented during the two-day Karamoja Cluster Cross-Border Youth Peace Summit held in Kapenguria, West Pokot County.
The summit, organized by the State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy in collaboration with the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR), brought together youth representatives from Pokot, Turkana, Karamojong, Sebei and Marakwet communities to discuss lasting solutions to insecurity, cattle rustling, unemployment, climate-related challenges and cross-border conflicts.
Speaking during the event, Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy Fikirini Jacobs emphasized the need to place young people at the center of peacebuilding and development efforts.
“Peace is not merely the absence of conflict, it is the foundation upon which communities thrive and nations prosper. Young people have a critical role to play in fostering dialogue, promoting social cohesion and shaping a more peaceful and inclusive future for our region,” said Jacobs.
Earlier, the PS paid a courtesy call on West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin ahead of the summit, where they discussed strengthening collaboration between the national and county governments to ensure youth priorities are integrated into development planning and decision-making processes.
Jacobs noted that Africa remains the world’s youngest continent, presenting both opportunities and responsibilities for governments and communities.
“Kenya has a youthful population, with more than 70 percent under the age of 35. The youth are the energy of this country and the drivers of our transformation. They should not only identify challenges but also provide solutions and actively participate in shaping the future they desire,” he said.
The PS urged young people to take advantage of government initiatives such as labour mobility programs and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), describing education as the most effective tool for overcoming marginalization and unlocking opportunities.
Governor Kachapin said the summit was timely, noting that the Karamoja Cluster communities share deep historical, cultural and economic ties that transcend modern borders.
“The communities of Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan and Ethiopia share more than geography. We share a history, a culture and a common responsibility to protect the future of our people,” he said.
The governor acknowledged that challenges such as cattle rustling, illegal firearms, competition over natural resources, unemployment and climate change continue to undermine peace and development in the region.
“Young people are among those who experience the effects of conflict, but they are also among the strongest drivers of change. Peace cannot be built by speaking about young people without involving them. It must be built with young people as partners, leaders and decision-makers,” he added.
Kachapin said the summit would help shape practical recommendations through the Kapenguria Youth Declaration, while also strengthening cooperation between youth leaders and elders through an intergenerational dialogue framework.
West Pokot County Commissioner David Saruni challenged participants to become ambassadors of peace when they return to their respective communities.
“The responsibility of sustaining peace does not end here. Go back home and become peace ambassadors. Let your actions, your words and your leadership inspire others to choose dialogue over conflict and unity over division,” he told the youth.
One of the most powerful moments of the summit came from Erupe Echoto, a respected elder and reformed warrior, who shared his personal journey and urged the younger generation not to repeat the mistakes of the past.
“We have witnessed the pain and losses that conflict brings. I encourage the youth to embrace peace, coexist with their neighbours and explore other economic opportunities such as farming instead of relying solely on practices that fuel conflict,” Echoto said.
Now a livestock businessman, Echoto also called on governments to develop interventions that cushion pastoralist communities from recurring drought and famine, including purchasing livestock during periods of extreme hardship.
The summit further highlighted the role of the ICGLR Regional Multifunctional Youth Forum, established to provide a platform where young people across the Great Lakes region can exchange experiences, promote regional integration and contribute to peacebuilding initiatives.
Among the proposals adopted by the youth were increased access to education, establishment of digital hubs to connect young people across borders, promotion of inter-community interactions and intermarriage, regular peace dialogues, and enhanced economic empowerment programs to tackle unemployment and drug abuse.
At the conclusion of the summit, youth representatives signed the Kapenguria Peace Declaration and formally presented it to PS Jacobs, Governor Kachapin and County Commissioner Saruni for onward transmission to President William Ruto.
The declaration symbolizes a collective commitment by young people from across the Karamoja Cluster to champion peace, strengthen regional cooperation and build a future founded on dialogue, inclusion and shared prosperity.
by Parklea Ivor
