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 held at a popular hotel in Makutano Town, West Pokot County, brought together dignitaries from across the region.
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 colorful occasion, Senior Assistant Secretary, at the National Steering Committee on Peacebuilding and Conflict Management Clause Obote, who represented the Secretary Peacebuilding and Conflict Management, Madam Josephine Onunga who was the chief guest, praised Wilson Tonapa for his consistent commitment to grassroot peacebuilding through the Lonapa Peace Foundation.
In the message, Onunga commended Tonapa for strengthening grassroots peace initiatives across the North rift region and noted that the forum’s theme, “Unity in Diversity: Strengthening Grassroots Peace Networks,” was timely and profound.
She said the theme underscored the Ministry’s shared responsibility to adopt innovative peace approaches that are responsive to community concerns and the evolving nature of conflict in Kenya.
Kenya’s diversity, she noted, should be viewed as a source of strength rather than division, adding that when positively harnessed, the country’s rich cultural and religious plurality provides a strong foundation for resilience, stability, and shared prosperity.
Onunga observed that peace is not only a social imperative but also a critical enabler of development, contributing directly to the realization of the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Peace and stability, she underscored, form the bedrock for inclusive development and meaningful socio-economic empowerment of citizens.
She noted that frontier counties, including West Pokot and the wider North Rift region, occupy a strategic place in the national peace and security architecture.
Onunga said while parts of the region have historically experienced security challenges ranging from resource-based conflicts and inter-communal tensions to cross-border dynamics and marginalization they are also home to resilient communities whose traditions of dialogue and coexistence offer valuable pathways to sustainable peace.
She also commended the progress recently witnessed in the North Rift on matters of peace, regional stability, and inter-communal cohesion, noting that such gains were worth celebrating.
She reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to promoting peace, security, and social cohesion across all corners of the country, emphasizing the vision for community policing partnerships.
Onunga stressed that sustainable security cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, noting that security is most effective when it is people-centered, preventive, and rooted in trust between citizens and the state.
The forum celebrating the peace efforts of the Lonapa Peace Foundation, she said, provided an important opportunity to deliberate on sustainable security strategies and community-driven approaches to peace and stability.
She further said the department remains dedicated to working closely with the county governments, civil society, and community leaders to strengthen coordination, enhance early warning mechanisms, and support locally anchored solutions to conflict.
She concluded by expressing appreciation to the Tonapa for convening the award ceremony and for its continued service to peace-building efforts in the region.
She also commended all peace champions past and present whose courage and dedication have contributed to the stability currently being witnessed, urging all stakeholders to move forward with renewed resolve, guided by the understanding that peace is a collective responsibility and that unity in diversity is the cornerstone of a stable and prosperous Kenya.
Kubai Thuranira, CEO of Jamhuri Kenya Awards, said the organization visited the region to celebrate and recognize the impactful work Wilson Tonapa has been undertaking in the community.
He emphasized the need to identify, support, and empower individuals and organizations involved in peace promotions and other positive initiatives.
He noted that individuals like Tonapa, who passionately engage in development and peace-building efforts with visible impact, deserve support from government, partners, and well-wishers.
Former Simat/Kapseret Ward Member of County Assembly (MCA) in Uasin Gishu County, Edwin Korir Maraswo, commended individuals who had voluntarily surrendered firearms and renounced banditry,urging them to take the lead in promoting peace and disarmament in historically volatile areas of the North Rift.
He encouraged those who had reformed to integrate fully into society and called on young people who had abandoned crime to consider returning to school, noting that they have a bright future ahead.
In his remarks, Wilson Tonapa, the award recipient, called on leaders to take decisive actions in championing peace and resisting forces that undermine peace and security.
He emphasized the need for value-driven leadership, noting that insecurity erodes development and peaceful coexistence.
Tonapa expressed humility and gratitude for the recognition, describing it not merely as a personal achievement but as a profound responsibility to continue advocating for peace and harmony within communities across the North Rift region.
He urged community members and leaders to promote understanding, tolerance, and peaceful coexistence among diverse communities.
Through the Lonapa Peace Foundation, he said, he remains committed to promoting peace building and conflict resolution, inspiring young people and leaders to champion initiatives that strengthen community resilience, national unity, and social justice.
He called upon leaders, government agencies, and organizations to support and collaborate in advancing peace efforts and peaceful coexistence.
Wilson Tonapa has received two prestigious awards from Jamhuri Kenya Awards,
In 2024, he was honored as Humanitarian Activist Champion of the Year during an event held at the Taifa Hall, University of Nairobi.
In 2025,he was nominated and recognized as a Peace Ambassador-Great Rift Valley region, in acknowledgement of his outstanding contribution and impact in promoting grassroot peace and satbility, during an award ceremony held at Argyle Grand Hotel on November 22, 2025.
By Anthony Melly & Parklea Ivor
