Turkana County expressed disappointment as key leaders from Uganda and the Pokot community were notably absent from the three-day Turkana Tourism and Cultural Festival, known as Tobong’u Lore. The event aimed to foster peace and unity among Turkana and neighboring communities, promoting cross-border relations and addressing underlying issues.
The festival, meaning “welcome home,” commenced in Lodwar with President William Ruto participating while dressed in traditional Turkana attire. Turkana County holds significance as the “cradle of humanity” due to the discovery of the Turkana Boy, a complete human fossil.
During the festival, President Ruto engaged with Turkana professionals and leaders, discussing concerns related to security with neighboring regions, including Uganda, South Sudan, Ethiopia, West Pokot, Samburu, and Baringo counties.
The primary objective of Tobong’u Lore was to encourage unity among the Turkana people and their ancestral communities, such as the Jie, Karamoja, Toposa, Nyangatom, and Teso, as well as peaceful coexistence with the Pokot community from Baringo and West Pokot counties.
However, Turkana residents were disheartened by the absence of leaders from the Pokot community and pastoralist communities in Uganda. In the past, high-ranking Ugandan officials, including members of Parliament and ministers, participated in the festival, fostering cross-border trade and peaceful coexistence.
Delegations from Ethiopia and South Sudan expressed commitment to peacebuilding and emphasized the importance of delineating common borders to benefit border communities. Peaceful coexistence would enable Turkana County residents to engage in agriculture, addressing food insecurity exacerbated by recurrent droughts.
The festival took place amid a diplomatic dispute between Kenya and Uganda, resulting in the sentencing of 32 Turkana residents to prison in Uganda for illegal possession of firearms, ammunition, and crude weapons. Tensions escalated when Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni issued an executive order banning Kenyan pastoralists from crossing the border, leaving many Turkana pastoralists facing prolonged drought.
Domestically, Turkana leaders condemned increased bandit attacks in Turkana South and Turkana East sub-counties, calling for the ruthless handling of bandits and investments to resettle victims of banditry. They also urged the construction of water pans and dams along livestock migration routes, particularly along the Kenya-Uganda border, to discourage pastoralists from crossing into northern Uganda.
President Ruto assured Turkana residents of his recent meeting with President Museveni, who agreed to engage in talks to resolve the disputes.
During the festival, President Ruto experienced the rich Turkana culture, touring traditional kraals and observing demonstrations of the community’s traditional way of life, including construction, tools, clothing, and crafts. Local artisans showcased their skills, such as fire-making with sticks, traditional shoemaking, and carpentry.
