New order as Turkana, Toposa violence halted for whole year
By Hesborn Etyang, July 28, 2025For many years, the Turkana people of Kenya and the Toposa people of South Sudan have fought over water, grazing land, and livestock.
These fights have caused many deaths and injuries, and the sound of gunfire was common along the border.
Many peace meetings were held in the past, but the peace didn’t last long. Things have now changed. A full year has passed without any reports of cattle raids or violence between the two communities.
The Turkana government, led by Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, worked with the national government and different development partners to bring peace to the region.
They used new ways to help both communities talk and understand each other.
Mathew Esinyen, a project manager at Safer World, said it is a great success to see Turkana and Toposa people finally living in peace.
“They have been fighting for years over natural resources and cattle, but now they are sharing and living together,” he said.
Community meeting
He said one key strategy was to hold community meetings where both sides could speak and listen, because of these talks, the Toposa people were allowed to use water and pasture in Lokichogio, a place in Turkana County.
“This made them feel safe and welcome. Now, they can even come to the town to get treatment at health centers, attend meetings, join peace workshops, and even marry people from the Turkana community,” he said.
Paulson Erot, who works for the Agency for Cross-Border Pastoralist Development, said their hard work has brought real results.
“Without peace, nothing else can happen. Now we can focus on development,” he said.
Charles Lopeyok, a programme manager from the Integrated Peace Development Organisation in South Sudan, added that the area was once dangerous, but now things are better.
Moving freely
He said people are trading livestock peacefully and moving freely across the border. He also asked the government to finish building projects, especially roads, which can help trade grow.
Governor Lomorukai thanked the national government and partners who helped bring peace.
“This is a very important day not just for Turkana and Toposa, but for everyone living near this border,” he said.
“We are here to celebrate one year of peace and friendship. Before, we were divided by fear and mistrust. Today, we are united by hope.”
He thanked Louis Lobong’, the Governor of Eastern Equatorial in South Sudan, for supporting peace.
He also praised Presidents William Ruto (Kenya) and Salva Kiir (South Sudan) for their support, saying their leadership made a big difference.
Lomorukai said that John Munyes, who was appointed as the special peace envoy for the Ateker region, played an important role.
“He understands our culture and helped guide this peace process. Now, roads that were once closed by conflict are open. People and goods can move freely,” he said.
He added that both communities are now sharing water points and grazing land without fighting.
This shows the power of peace, similar to what has happened along Kenya’s borders with Uganda and Ethiopia.
Governor Lomorukai promised to continue building peace by improving roads, markets, schools, and hospitals, especially in areas close to the border.
“We will also support peace groups, youth activities, and cultural exchanges. And we will keep working with South Sudan to make sure this peace lasts,” he said.