the paired group meeting between pokot and turkana...

The Paired Group Meeting between Pokot and Turkana,

Matheniko and Pokot of Ugandain attendance at Lokichar

Reformed Church

Dr. Darlington Akabwai

PACE

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THE PAIRED GROUP MEETING BETWEEN POKOT AND TURKANA, MATHENIKO AND POKOT OF UGANDA

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Produced byCommunity-based Animal Health and Epidemiology (CAPE) Unit

Pan African Programme for the Control of Epizootics (PACE)Organization of African Unity/Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (OAU/IBAR)

THE PAIRED GROUP MEETING BETWEENPOKOT AND TURKANA, MATHENIKO AND

POKOT OF UGANDA IN ATTENDENCEAT LOKICHAR REFORMED CHURCH

ON 3RD TO 5TH DECEMBER

by

Dr. Darlington Akabwai


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Introduction

The Pokot, Dodoth, Tepeth, Toposa, and the Turkana are a people that peace and stability have eluded. Droughts,politics, lack of pasture and incessant cattle raids from neighboring pastoralist communities are but a few of thecomplex issues that cause conflict among them. The Community-based Animal Health and Participatory

Epidemiology Unit (CAPE) of the Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources of the Organization of African Unit(OAU/IBAR) has been working with the people that live in the Karamoja Cluster, through community harmonisationmeetings and women’s peace crusades-alokita, to broker peace. The meeting between the Pokot-Turkana; and the Tepeth-Matheniko-Pokot was one meeting that grouped the communities for discussions. They met at Lokichar ReformedChurch in Turkana District, from 3 to 5 December 2001.

The specific objectives of the meeting were:

>>>>> To broker peace between the Pokot and Turkana communities that share common borders>>>>> To support peace initiatives between the Pokot and Turkana

>>>>> To facilitate the research programme of the Management System International (MSI), an organisation from USA thatadvises the United States Aid Agency (USAID) on security matters

>>>>> To follow-up the resolutions of previous peace workshops

The CAPE Unit planned three meetings to accomplish these tasks:

>>>>> The Pokot-Tepeth-Matheniko-Turkana Workshop at Lokichar

>>>>> The Dodoth-Lukomomg Focal Meeting of Elders that was scheduled to take place at Kotido District, Uganda, butwas cancelled

>>>>> The Toposa-Turkana Focal Meeting that was held at Lokichoggio from 6 to 7 December, 2001

Neighbouring communities were grouped in pairs as follows:

>>>>> The Ngimatak Turkana and the Pokot -Tepeth>>>>> The Sonyoka Turkana, and the Pokot of Sigor (Misol)>>>>> The Ngibilai Turkana and the Pokot of Chemoligot

The Pokot-Tepeth-Matheniko-Turkana Meeting at Lokichar was the first among the series. This meeting was unique inthat it brought together three pairs of the communities that share common borders. The Intermediate TechnologyDevelopment Group (ITDG), World Vision POKATUSA1 assisted CAPE Unit, while OXFAM, and Arid Lands attendedthe meeting as observers. This report outlines the deliberations during the meeting at Lokichar Reformed Church Centrein Turkana.

1 POKATUSA is an acronym comprising the first two letters ofthe names of four nomadic tribes –the Pokot, Karamoja, Turkanaand Sabiny who live in the border region of Kenya and Uganda


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Deliberations on the Plan of Actionfrom the Previous Meeting

Prior to the Lokichar meeting, in December 2001, the three sets of communities had met in February 2001 andagreed on the following plans:

>>>>> To establish a joint cattle sale-yard at Kainuk, a border point between the Turkana and Pokot

>>>>> To continue preaching peace, especially to the misguided youth>>>>> To stop inciting the people as they are already suspicious>>>>> To identify and hand over offenders to authorities

>>>>> To hold a follow-up joint peace meeting, between the Turkana and the Pokot, within 14 days, in Lokiriama>>>>> To convene at Alale, a division in West Pokot, for a follow-up workshop

The feedback indicated success and failures. Below are the reasons that were cited for failure to achieve the tasks outlinedin the action plan.


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Establishing a cattlesale-yard at Kainuk


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The Turkana have not yet established the yard.

Reasons

>>>>> There is already a sale-yard at Kalemungruok inTurkana District, near Kainuk. There is, therefore, noneed to have another yard, in the same location, forthis would confuse livestock owners and traders

>>>>> The Turkana felt that the Pokot are not serious hencethe failure to implement the project

>>>>> The Turkana saw no need for a cattle sale-yard consid-ering the current insecurity along the borders. How-ever, they could give it a thought when peace is re-stored

On the subject of a cattle sale-yard, the Pokots respondedas follows:

>>>>> The Pokot, especially those residing at Orwa andMarich trading centres, fear having a yard at Kainukbecause of insecurity along the border. They prefer tohave one at Marich or between Kainuk and MarichPass near the police post.

Further deliberations

The Turkana asked the Pokot to be genuine aboutresolutions since any show of insincerity would cause moreproblems and consequently jeopardise the accomplishmentsof the peace meetings. They also pointed out that tradingin other farm produce has been successful at Kainuk,indicating that marketing of livestock should also improve.

The Pokot

The Pokot reiterated that criminals exist among the twocommunities and each person has a duty to expose themfor the sake of peace. They also asserted that tension stillexists along the border and there is need to diffuse it throughfollow-up meetings. They expressed fear that only a few oftheir people would benefit from the sale-yard, giving the

Turkana 90 per cent advantage over them. This is becauseKainuk is on the Turkana side of the border and the Pokotwill have to cross over into Turkana Municipality to trade.

The District Veterinary Officer’s Contribution

The District Veterinary Officer, Turkana District, on behalfof the Livestock Department, Ministry of Agriculture,recommended Kainuk as the best site for the livestockmarket because of its strategic position at the border. Hesaid that during peaceful times, livestock trade thrives butinsecurity hampers the growth of such markets in Kainuk.The DVO believes that the Pokot and the Turkanas willbenefit from these markets if they agree to co-existpeacefully. He reminded the two communities that they didnot choose to be neighbours; it was God’s plan. They must,therefore, learn to share resources along the commonborders.

Councilor John Longora

Councilor John Longora of Rupa, Moroto District inUganda informed the participants that the Bokora and theMatheniko communities, sworn adversaries, faced a similarproblem on the location of a common livestock market.The problem was solved when each community set up itsmarket, giving traders the freedom to choose the marketthey favour. Eventually, genuine buyers and sellers usedthe two markets freely. “You Turkana, start your ownlivestock market, in any place that you feel is secure, and letthe Pokot also set up a market where they feel safe. Thetwo markets will satisfy the needs of the traders, given thefreedom of choice,” advised Longora.


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Continuing withthe peace initiative


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Response from Pokots, Matheniko andTurkana communities

Reports indicate that the Pokot and the Mathenikohave continued meeting to promote peace. Theyalso graze livestock together and have established

a market at Naitakwae Village in Uganda. The twocommunities are planning to set up a livestock sale-yard inPokot in Kenya, because Lorengekippi/Nawoyapong tradingcentres in the Pokot and Turkana Districts are safe. Thereport also noted that camels taken away during a previousraid by the Pokot have been recovered and restored to theowners. However, the goats are still being held at thedivisional headquarters until a later time when they can begiven back to the owners. “Though peace exists betweenthe Karamoja and Pokot of Uganda, there is need to holdmore workshop to reinforce peaceful co-existence andreduce theft cases,” cautioned the Councilor of Amudat,Nakapiripirit District, Uganda.

Comments from the Tepeth, Matheniko andTurkana Communities

The Tepeth, Matheniko and Turkana communities madethe following observations:

>>>>> The peace meetings have continued but tension stillexists between the Turkana and Tepeth

>>>>> The three communities singled out the Kenyan Pokotas people who never live up to their word, and accusedthem of troubling the region through incessant raids.The Pokot were at odds to defend themselves and theTurkana advised them to emulate the peaceful co-existance between the Matheniko and the Turkana.They challenged the Pokot residing in Konyao, Kasei,Lopet, Kalapata, and Kango’oletiang’ locations of WestPokot District to stop plotting raids against the Turkanaand the Karamoja. Chief Alale of Kalapata Locationin Pokot laboured to defend his people against theseaccusations but furious participants from the Turkanacommunity shouted him down.

>>>>> The Pokot informed the meeting about their cows that

were stolen during a raid and are in the custody of theBokora Community in a place well known to them.They implored the Bokora to demonstrate the spiritof goodwill and reconciliation by returning the cattleto the legitimate owners. Unfortunately, the Bokorawere not present in this meeting but the councilorsfrom Moroto District promised to convey this messageto their elders.

>>>>> Elders from Turkana complained that despite theresolutions of the February meeting in LokicharReformed Church Centre, tension has built up againalong the borders. They accused the ngirengecupai2 ofbanditry.

Resolutions

>>>>> To diffuse tension that usually prevail after a raid>>>>> To continue stressing peaceful co-existence especially

among communities sharing common borders>>>>> To increase peace building efforts on the eastern

borders between the Turkana and the Tepeth>>>>> To arrest and punish the thieves in the traditional way,

of imposing heavy fines>>>>> To give accurate information that will lead to the arrest

and incarceration of the culprits, from either side

2 These are bandits who rustle cattle after drinking the local brew,called waragi, in Uganda3 The first three are clans from the Karamoja community and thenext four are Pokot clans


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Group discussions


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The participants were divided into groups accordingto the kraals that they come from. They were askedto discuss the problems that they face and come

up with solutions.

Group 1 comprised the Matheniko, Tepes, Kamatak,Alale Pokot, Kasei and Amudat3

The group cited the following as major problems:

>>>>> Lack of communication facilities hindering efforts toact against cattle rustlers

>>>>> High illiteracy levels>>>>> Petty thefts by the ngirengecupai from the Matheniko

community

>>>>> Inability of non-governmental organisations (NGOs),like OAU/IBAR, to penetrate locations in Karamojaand Pokot areas for peace crusades

>>>>> The practice, by community members, of hidingcriminals from the authorities

>>>>> The fearless attitude of the men from the KaramojongCluster communities

>>>>> Negative attitude towards temporary peace that isbroken after short periods by the ng’ajorei on either side

>>>>> Poverty, unemployment and lack of other occupationsto keep the youth busy

>>>>> High bride price>>>>> Poor management of guns

>>>>> Scarcity of water and pasture for the animals

Solutions suggested by the Matheniko,Tepeth, and Turkana Group

>>>>> The groups in conflict should hold frequent and regularmeetings, supported by elders

>>>>> The community members should be faithful andsincere in apprehending and handing over criminalsto the relevant authorities

>>>>> The concerned governments should construct orimprove access roads to alleviate the communicationproblem in the remote areas

>>>>> Transport and communication gadgets should be putin place to ease the flow of information from theKenyan to the Ugandan side of the border

>>>>> Courts of law in pastoralist areas should bestrengthened

>>>>> The village elders should form village committees, justlike in other areas

>>>>> Members of the communities should elect focusedleaders

>>>>> Consultative meetings to foster peace should continue>>>>> The committees that OAU/IBAR recently identified

should be strengthened, fully facilitated and stronglyrepresented

>>>>> The religious community should play an active roletoward changing the men’s attitude to violence

>>>>> Donors and governments of the regions should initiateprogrammes to occupy the youth

>>>>> The stakeholders should introduce income generatingactivities

>>>>> The Government of Kenya, like the Ugandangovernment, should introduce a policy on managingguns among the pastoralist communities

>>>>> Respect of human rights should be paramount

Ngibilae, East Pokot and NgisonyokaEpidings

The three ngipiding’a represent the Turkana section of theNgibilae and the Sonyonka; and the Pokot groups fromChemiligot Division of West Pokot.

Members of the group identified the following problems

>>>>> Poverty

>>>>> Illiteracy>>>>> Human and livestock diseases>>>>> Boundaries: the Turkana allege that the Pokot have

encroached on their land>>>>> Struggle over pasture and water>>>>> Possession and misuse of illegal firearms

>>>>> Envy for cattle of neighbouring communities leadingto cattle rustling


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>>>>> Negative cultural rituals demanding retaliation causingdeaths of women and children

>>>>> Lack of respect for the elders by the youth

>>>>> External interference with peace among thecommunities

>>>>> Fear, by NGOs, to work among the warringcommunities

Solutions

>>>>> The concerned governments should intervene byfacilitating common border meetings, for example,Kapedo in Lomelo Division, Turkana District, urgentlyneeds such meetings between the Pokot and Turkanacommunities

>>>>> The road networks should be improved to accessdeserted areas and improve security

>>>>> Peace meetings and women’s peace crusades shouldbe conducted, regularly, to encourage amity betweenhostile communities and the sharing of commongrazing grounds

>>>>> The governments of the various countries should offerfree education, from pre-primary to secondary schools,to discourage idleness and stamp out irresponsiblebehaviour

>>>>> The government and the community elders shoulddiscourage negative cultural values

>>>>> The government should construct dams, bore-holes,irrigation schemes and meat processing plants to offeremployment as an alternative to cattle raiding, solvethe problem of water shortage, and improve the livingstandards of the pastoralist communities

>>>>> The governments should offer credit facilities,introduce restocking programmemes, and construct atannery to improve the livelihoods of the pastoralists

>>>>> The governments should set up a livestock sale-yardto help upcoming traders

>>>>> The OAU/IBAR peace initiative should strive to reachareas not yet covered

Sonyonka of Mosol-Naregae-Sigor, WestPokotThe Sonyoka are a sub-tribe of the Turkana, living alongthe Pokot border in Kainuk. The two communities sharecommon grazing plains at Naregae on the Turkana side ofthe border. They also share grazing fields at Mosol andSigor divisions of West Pokot.

Problems

>>>>> Poverty>>>>> Illiteracy

>>>>> Poor infrastructure>>>>> Lack of pasture and water>>>>> Human and animal diseases

>>>>> Incitement by politicians>>>>> Border conflicts between the Pokot and Turkana>>>>> Cattle rustling by bandits

>>>>> Frequent cattle raids, mostly from Kasei Division>>>>> Unfaithfulness to the peace making process, for

example, responding to incitements by friends andparents to go for raids, spreading false reports andexaggerating incidents

>>>>> Lack of co-operation among leaders towards the peaceprocess

>>>>> Possession of illegal firearms, causing restless andyearning to stage raids

>>>>> Lack of a competent NGO, especially in Masol andNaregae epuke of Turkana District, to work on peacebuilding

>>>>> Target communities are inaccessible due to poorinfrastructure and long distance

>>>>> Lack of spiritual guidance because the raiders do notattend church services

>>>>> Footprints frequently found near kraals on either sideof Turkana borders causing suspicion and tensionamong the people

>>>>> Marginalisation of pastoral communities by thegovernment

>>>>> Fear by NGOs to work in harsh environments, like theMosol and Naregae epuke


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>>>>> Encouragement of the youth, by the laibons4 , emurons5 ,because they make money from consultation fees paidto them

>>>>> Incitement by women, especially mothers, purportingto bless the youth when they go for raids

Solutions

>>>>> Reduce the raids by identifying and apprehending gangsand their leaders and handing them over to theauthorities

>>>>> Strengthen the peace initiative by:- selecting village committees and holding

frequent peace meetings and emergencyseminars to diffuse tension in troubled areaslike Kasei, Kainuk and Nyagaita in WestPokot

- creating awareness on the evils of cattlerustling

- encouraging spiritual guidance throughchurches, to foster peace among thecommunities

- organising public barazas to preach theimportance of peaceful co-existence amongcommunities

- offering honest and accurate reports on stolenlivestock

- requesting NGOs and the government tooffer compensation to the victims

>>>>> Foster co-operation between the communities by:- holding frequent community harmonisation

meetings at specific epukes- encouraging cooperation between kraal

leaders for the sake of peace- holding joint peace meetings involving the

youth, elders and women to strengthen thepeace initiative and peace rituals andceremonies

>>>>> Discourage passage of illegal arms by:- promoting the registration of guns- disarming those who refuse to hand over their

gun- monitoring, through the government, the

progress of the disarmament exercise

>>>>> Encourage development by identifying priority areasthat require funding and approaching NGOs forsponsorship

>>>>> Alleviate poverty by :- exploiting natural resources and introducing

agricultural activities, such as community-based animal health programmes andirrigation scheme

- extending credit facilities to livestock ownersto encourage them to embark on incomegenerating activities

>>>>> Encourage the people to abandon negative culturalpractices

>>>>> Elect development conscious leaders who will not usepolitical incitement to win popularity

>>>>> Introduce spiritual guidance through:- holding evangelical crusades- setting up churches in conflict prone areas- forming pastors village peace committees

>>>>> Reduce marginalisation of pastoralists communities,by government, through:

- affirmative action- equal distribution of resources- improvement of infrastructure

>>>>> Minimise the laibon, and ngimuruok6 menace by:- organising seminars to educate them on the

importance of peaceful co-existence- source for sufficient funding to support the

peace initiative meetings

4 elders5 seers


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>>>>> Reduce illiteracy in the area by building schools andsponsoring the education of the pastoralists’ children

>>>>> Arrest the threat of human and animal diseases by:- introducing veterinary services and curative

health services- training community-based animal health

workers


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Discussions>>>>> There is an urgent need to look into the land issue at Lorokon in Turkana District, and Alale and Kasei in Pokot

District to solve the problem of incessant raids and the killing of charcoal burners at the borders of the twocommunities

>>>>> The Tepeth, Pokot and Matheniko communities are calling for a meeting, urgently, to discuss frequent thefts alongthe ngipiding’a and video tapes that the CAPE Unit is recording will help influence the thinking of many people

>>>>> The Katilu women have planned to include peace messages in their meeting of 22 to 29 December, 2001>>>>> Chief Amojong of Loima Location, Turkana District, warned the chief of Kalapata to stop defending his people

and encourage them to participate in discussion that foster peace and development>>>>> There is need to organise regular meetings for chiefs and district officers from either side of the border

Recommendations>>>>> The women challenged the men to be serious with peace building because they are tired of loss of life through raids>>>>> The Pokot of Kenya were singled out as the notorious cattle raiders and advised to embrace change for peace>>>>> The participants expressed the need for the four governments to work together to control the influx of guns into the

area>>>>> The participants singled out the land problem between the Pokot and the Turkana as an urgent matter that should be

attended to by the Kenyan government instead of leaving it to the politicians>>>>> The participants requested governments and the donor community to address marginalisation of the pastoralists

communities and initiate development in the region

ConclusionIt is encouraging to note that for the first time, the Pokot are divided in the issue of cattle rustling. The Pokot of Ugandaand Mosol in Sigor in Kenya are accepting that their kinsmen in Kasei, Kalapata and Konyau are responsible for raidsagainst neighbouring communities, especially in Turkana District. There is every hope that the community will come toaccept peace through community harmonisation meetings. This hope can only dawn if the political leadership in theregion arrests the inciting of tribes against one another. The Pokot and the Matheniko have already started the wave bymaking peace. The women’s peace crusade will be travelling through the region relaying messages of peace.

6 plural for emuron (seers)


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Appendix IGROUP ONE

ACTIVITY WHEN WHERE ACTORSJoint meeting 15.12.01 Lorengikippi Lorengikippi/Nawoyapong/

Kalapata people/- Contact person,Mibilia Louriong

Joint community 20.12.01 Lokoricharan Pokots, Tepes, and Lorengikippimeeting people-Lokitonyalla

Joint community 05.01.02 Alale AIC -Akiriamet Pokots of Alale and Kalapata,meeting Turkana of Lorengikippi- Contact

person, chief Alale, Kalapata, andLorengikippi and elders.

Joint community 22.01.02 Kochorchor Kenya and Uganda pokots; Turkanameeting and Matheniko of Loputuk- contact `(three days at least) persons include the following:

POKATUSA, OAU/IBAR, JohnLongora and Tekko, and DPM- WestPokot, Turkana

Tepes meeting 17.12.01 Moroto Turkana(Ngikamatak) Matheniko-chiefs Turkana, LC5 Chairman, LC5LC Defence,

Matheniko- 19.12.01 Naitae/ Eteere Lopeile, Lopelemany, Giran, NGOsNgikamatak-Jie and Local government(LC)meeting

Peace and Immediately Kalapata, Eteere,reconciliation Mosol, Tapac, Rupa,message back home Lorengikippi,

Namorupus, Lokiriama,Alale, etc


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Appendix IIGROUP TWONgibilae- Sonyoka- East Pokot

ACTIVITY WHEN WHERE BY WHO RESOURCESREQUIRED

Peace meetings 12.01.02 Chemolingot- both communities’ elders, - transportationNginyang division; women, youth and leaders- - resource personsLokori elites as the criteria for - funds

even selection ofparticipants

Opening of March 2002 Lomelo, Kapow, both communities - radio servicestrade centres Lochakula, and their leaders (by OAU/IBAR)

Napeitom - security personnelNakoko, and - waterNadome - administration and an

healthy community

Arresting offendersMarch 2002 Pokots and Provincial Adm., - radiosTurkana culprits the community and Police - means of transport

- uniforms and hats- re-grading, andconstruction of roadson insecure zones

Employment of December 2001 Lokori, and OAU/IBAR - two vehicles, motortwo co-ordinators Chemolingot - bikesfrom the two (East Pokots) - radioscommunities - two offices to be

established at Lokoriand Chemolingot

Joint community 15.12.2001 Lorengikippi, Pokots(U/K), Contact person-meetings Nawoyapong, Matheniko and Tepes(U) Louriongng

Alale, Achorchor and Turkana

Joint community 20.12.01 Lokoricharan Tepes-Pokots Contact person-meeting Lokitojala


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Appendix IIIGROUP THREE

ACTIVITIES WHEN WHERE BY WHO RESOURCESREQUIRED

Peace building initiatives 12.01.02 Kainuk Peace committees, communities - transportationthrough formalisation of (Pokots, Turkana), NGOs-ITDG, - foodvillage peace committees OXFAM, OAU, POKATUSA, - funds

World Vision, NCCK - other infrastructure

‘’ 15.02.02 Sigor

Vet. And health services- 12.01.02 Kainuk Vet. MOH, SNV, OAU/IBAR - fundsmobile clinics ITDG, VSF-B, Min. of Education

and Water, and Community

Offering free education 12.01.02 Kainukto nomads

Expansion of irrigation 12.01.02 Kainukschemes

Water services 12.01.02 Kainuk


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Appendix IVVILLAGE PEACE COMMITTEES

SONYOKAKATILU DIVISION1. Kalemungorok-Johnson Ekaru2. Lopur- Rebecca Ekeno3. Katilu- Pastor Daniel Apeoot4. Lokapel- William Eewoi5. Kanaodon- Musa Akeno

KAINUK DIVISION1. Kaputir- Lobei Lochamba2. Nakwamoru- Etiir Ebukut3. Juluk (Nariomoru)- Samuel Namathe4. Kalpelbok- Pastor Achukan James5. Lorogon- Elder Nangolol Lolima Korikapel

KAINUK LOCATION(Chiefs and Councilors)1. Kakong’u sub-location- Ezekiel Lowoi2. Loyapat sub-location -Daniel Emuria3. Kainuk Centre - Daudi Lemukal

Pastor Christopher Apokon

LOCHAKULA LOCATION1. Lokwamosing S/L- Ekai Loiria2. Kakwelit S/L- Ekiru Dang’amoe3. Lochakulla S/L- Arikuot Ywalakong4. Amoler S/L- Esinyen Lodio5. Lochaki Lodukumo

SIGOR DIVISIONMOSOL LOCATION1. Akiriamet S/L- Reuben Komukele2. Amolem S/L – Jacob Lokiria3. Tikit S/L- Lillian Cheposera4. Kaitapos S/L – Grace and Ngatulia John5. Chepserum S/L- Loriwoluk Lokwadou

SEKEROT LOCATION1. Two officials- chief and Councilor2. Nyangaita S/L- Ngoriamoler Longeratiang3. Amoler S/L- Ngoriamuk Lokuk4. Takaiywa S/L- Lomerikin Lokwanga5. Rorok (Topocho)- Ngorianggiro Rioken

SEKERR LOCATION1. Orwa S/L – Lochan Ngoriakedo2. Kodeta3. Nguura4. Lodou

the paired group meeting between pokot and turkana...

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