The Opposite of Violence

I come from Northern Kenya which is mainly dominated by nomadic pastoralist community. Marsabit County which borders Kenya-Ethiopian border is home to dozens of pastoralist tribes including Gabra, Borana, Rendile, Samburu, Elmolo, Turkana, Dasanach, Garre, Somali, Burji, Konso, Waata, Sidama and Sakuye. The larger part of the county is covered by chalbi desert and 90% of communities there are nomadic pastoralists. The region has been experiencing very tough situations in recent past. Severe drought and perennial fights were the order of the day. There are very limited resources in the area making different communities to fight over pasture and water points. Due to severe persistent drought several boreholes dry up leading to a need for sharing of water points. Some of the factors leading to constant conflicts between different ethnic groups include competition for grazing land, water and cattle rustling in a bid to replace the livestock lost during dry seasons. Socio-cultural and political factors were also leading to small differences that have hitherto been seen as the causes of perennial conflicts. A number of conflicts were linked to general elections and other political activities. Proliferation of small arms and light weapons among the communities is also a major factor fueling conflict in the area.

Over the past years several people have lost their lives. Many children have been made orphan and several women widowed. The communities fight over land, water points, grazing areas and livestock. In a massacre that happened in 2005 more than hundred people from one community were murdered most of them primary school children. In 2010 a conflict that took several months to end led to lose of lives, destruction of millions of properties and displacement of thousands of families. So many family houses and properties were burnt down. Stealing of livestock from neighboring communities has been rampant in the area.

After all the conflicts and killings in the past years, the recent two years have been something to smile about. Communities are living together just like brothers and sisters. There is an amazing satisfying peace in the area. There is a way they share resources by use of community elders without fights. Nowadays herders graze their animals without much problems. There is peaceful and orderly way of using water points and grazing areas together

Use of the same means of transport, members of different communities use the same means of transport transiting from one place to another. The journey from the border town of Moyale to capital city of Kenya takes normally two days. Every day three buses operate in Nairobi-Moyale route carrying passengers from different communities in the area through rough, insecure landscape and poorly developed roads. The passengers spent days and nights together in the same bus sharing meals and life experiences.

The communities also buy goods and services from each other without fear of being injured or killed. There is exchange of foodstuffs and other services among different communities without misunderstandings and conflicts. Milk and livestock prices that were previously affected by conflicts are now of much importance to community members because the prices of these products also affect prices of other products indirectly.

Young boys and youths who have been involved in incitements and fighting are now taking part in productive activities to build their own capacity and enhance community growth. There is also use of music and dance by NGOs in the area to create resilience among youths. Most youths are normally idle leading to starting and fueling of conflicts. The music and dances help them to spread message of peace and reconciliation.

The county government of Marsabit organizes annual cultural festival that brings together fourteen groups from the different tribes to showcase the beauty of their cultural heritage and practices. The festival creates a platform for many people, young and old from the area to come together, learn from each other and appreciate each other’s existence.

I also work with an organization that organizes annual cultural, music and food festival. We bring together fifty two groups from fourteen tribes in Marsabit and neighboring Isiolo County. This festival also brings together thousands of attendees from the region and other areas for days of music, food, dance and animal celebrations. This is to enhance social harmony, cohesion and peaceful coexistence among communities. The organization creates a platform for open discussions and dialogue between pastoralist communities in northern Kenya and all other parties interested in the regional development. This organization also strives to promote peace and harmony between pastoralists’ communities in the area through forums and exchanges that encourage shared values and shared burdens.

The two annual festivals have led to integration of different ethnic communities in the area. Kenya’s National Action Plan for Arms Control and Management has also assisted in reduce of flow and purchase of those arms in the region.

There is also increased women level of participation in peace and security in northern Kenya. Involving women will bring a lasting peace and security in the region. The region has been rendered inaccessible due to insecurity but in recent times there is easy, secure movements and accessibility.