The Turkana and Dorobo communities in Isiolo County, Kenya, have urged the government to promote dialogue to address insecurity linked to cattle rustling and inter-community conflicts. Long-standing animosity among pastoralist groups, fueled by cattle raids and retaliatory attacks, has resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property. The communities believe that peace-building dialogues spearheaded by the government and other organizations are crucial in addressing the hostility.
Elders from the two communities have emphasized the need for mutual respect and fairness in handling disputes and conflicts between communities. They believe that the government should ensure equal treatment of all communities involved in the conflicts. A Dorobo elder, Chapar Nang’unye, has accused security agencies of bias in the administration of justice, claiming that his community is often overlooked when their livestock are stolen.
According to Nang’unye, the Dorobo community lost about 1,000 goats and sheep last week, and efforts to recover the animals have been met with reluctance. Another Dorobo elder, Nayiano Senteria, has alleged that politicians are behind some of the skirmishes arising from cattle-rustling activities involving rival communities. The community has become vulnerable after surrendering firearms during a government security operation earlier this year.
Turkana elders, led by Patron Samuel Lokoro, have criticized herders who have moved into Burat Ward in search of pasture, accusing them of being responsible for cattle theft in the area. Lokoro has called for the herders from Samburu East to be moved out to restore security and order. The Turkana elders have also accused Sports Chief Executive Officer Mohamed Nur of insulting members of their community during a public meeting.
Isiolo Deputy County Commissioner Bernard Okwiri has stated that security officers are taking measures to remove herders who have entered restricted grazing areas. He has urged pastoralists to adhere to the laid-down rules to prevent conflicts among herders. Okwiri has also urged communities involved in the conflicts to stop blocking roads, which disrupts the movement of goods and services and restricts access to local markets.
Okwiri has called on all communities in the area to embrace peaceful coexistence, saying harmony would enable them to benefit from available resources and pursue their development objectives. The establishment of grazing committees across the region aims to regulate livestock movement across administrative boundaries. The government and other organizations are working to promote peace-building dialogues to address the conflicts.
The ongoing conflicts have had a significant impact on the local communities, resulting in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of people. The situation remains volatile, with communities continuing to call for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the conflicts. The government has been urged to take a more proactive role in addressing the root causes of the conflicts and promoting peaceful coexistence among the communities.
Key points
- The Turkana and Dorobo communities in Isiolo County are calling for dialogue to address long-standing cattle-rustling conflicts.
- The conflicts have resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and displacement of people.
- The government has been urged to promote peace-building dialogues and ensure fairness in handling disputes and conflicts between communities.
