Kenya-Ethiopia to foster peace in border town

By Lucas Ngasike

Kenya and Ethiopia have embarked on cross border peace deal to end the standoff between the Turkana and Merille communities over water and pasture.

Administrators from the two governments said cattle rustling in Todonyang was due to lack of structures to coordinate peace efforts along the volatile area.

Kenya and Ethiopia top security officials met in Todonyang on Tuesday and agreed to form regional peace committee to foster dialogue between the warring communities.

Turkana North DC Jack Obuo led a Kenyan delegation at a meeting in Todonyang and said that Kenya had formed peace committees at the district level, but the structures needed strengthening.

The DC said the Riam Riam peace network has been frustrated because of lack of a link with Ethiopia.

He said peace committees must be empowered to work effectively. The DC made appeals to Ethiopia to act fast to initiate peace committees.

The DC urged both governments to hold regular peace talks.