The Tugen and Pokot communities in Baringo North, Tiaty, and Baringo South sub-counties have experienced long-standing conflict, rooted in enduring cultural animosities, competition over shrinking natural resources - water, pasture, land, and territory. Herders, often at the epicenter of these conflicts, fuel tensions between these communities through raids that have resulted in a vicious cycle of violence.

In 2009, the impact of the tension was felt when clashes between the two communities left many Tugen families displaced from their homes in Lolmuro Ng'elecha, Arabal, Muchongoi, Kasiela, and Kipindasum. Since then, the two have been living separately, with no interactions. Renown to Baringo and the country at large, the existing tension and violence did not seem to have an end even as the county government of Baringo, together with the security agencies, tried to manage tensions between the communities.

This remained the norm until a group of 25 youth from the Pokot community came together to form a Community-based Organization (CBO) called the Tangibolol Youth Group, with the aim of uniting the Tugen and Pokot communities among other objectives. The group, through the chairperson, facilitated dialogues between the displaced community of the Tugen and the Pokot; to find ways of restoring trust and coexistence. The crucial peace-building efforts saw the successful reintegration of the Tugen community back into Baringo South, marking a significant milestone.

After 15 years of displacement, dating back to 2009, when violent hostilities between the Tugen and Pokot communities forced many Tugens to leave their homes, peace and cohesion have finally been restored.

In June 2024, fourteen (14) Tugen families returned to Lolmoru, Ngelecha Sub-location, living alongside the Pokot community. The Tangibolol CBO herders facilitated this process by making contact to the families and having dialogue with them, allowing both members of the communities to meet, discuss their grievances, and work towards rebuilding trust and cohesion. They then helped them through the process of relocating back, assisted to rebuild their homes.

The herders' commitment to peace, through various peace-building forums; led to an agreement by both Tugen and Pokot communities to establish the Lolmoru Early Childhood Development Education Centre (ECDEC). The school, a symbol of unity, commitment to the future, allows children of the two communities to study together and lays a foundation for cohesion at tender years. Supported by local leaders, other resources like iron sheets for classroom construction were provided, and to date, there is an expansion of the school. There are currently 103 students attending the school, record high for both communities.

Grassroots efforts like these prove the power of community-driven initiatives in cultivating durable peace and harmony, with the two communities now living harmoniously, carrying out social activities together like farming and trading. Their long-awaited return to Baringo South bears testament to the effectiveness of dialogue, economic empowerment, and the commitment of local youth and leaders to a common future. This transformation underlines the potential of local solutions to resolve even the most intractable conflicts.

Click here to see more: #RPS Program How Reformed Bandits in Baringo are Building a Brighter Future

By Judy Gathura