This archive report was first published on 17 July 2019.
On July 17, 2019, the Kenyan government announced a major breakthrough in its efforts to bring lasting peace to the border region with Uganda.
According to Chief Administrative Secretary for Devolution and ASALs Hussein Dado, the cross-border peace agreement, dubbed the 'Karamoja Cluster,' is expected to benefit four million Pokot, Karamoja, and Turkana people who inhabit the border area.
The agreement, set to be signed later this month in Moroto, Uganda, aims to achieve lasting peace between the two communities through joint initiatives such as developing amicable resource-sharing mechanisms, improving joint infrastructure, empowering youth through entrepreneurship and employment, and supporting cultural and intercommunity activities.
Mr. Dado emphasized the importance of utilizing existing knowledge and expertise in the region, citing the unique aspects of indigenous knowledge of pastoralist communities, which are often overlooked in the design of government and donor programs.
He noted that the pastoralist community has a deep understanding of the environment and can reliably predict weather patterns and vector-borne diseases, which can enrich the effectiveness of intervention programs.
The agreement is expected to herald a series of joint cross-border activities up to 2023, including strengthening of peace committees, infrastructure development, commerce, and joint security programs.
