West Pokot Governor to promote farming activities at Turkana county border

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin addresses the press at Kapenguria town. 08.05.2015. [Photo/Peter Ochieng/STANDARD]

The West Pokot county government has pledged to support agricultural activities along areas bordering Turkana County to become food producers.

The move is part of a bid to help transform the lives of the pastoralists and enhance peaceful coexistence among the neighbouring communities.

Governor Simon Kachapin said his administration is set to direct resources and revive stalled development projects at the border to improve food security, eliminate poverty and improve security along the county border.

Mr Kachapin lauded the Turkana and Pokot communities living along the border for embracing peaceful co-existence.

"My government is set to tap agricultural potential along the border to improve food security and transform the lives of the local residents," he said.

The governor said the current prevailing peace is commendable  and will open room for development and improve livelihood of the locals.

A sport check by The Standard revealed that economic activities along the border have resumed following the restoration of peace.

reduced cases

Frequent attacks had affected several areas including Turkwel, Nakwamoru, Ombolion, Kainuk, Julluk, Lorrengipi and Kalapata.

A report by Peace and Justice Center Kitale (PJCK) show that crime along the Turkana and West Pokot border has dropped by 45 per cent in the past one year.

The survey by the center's Armed Violence Reduction project revealed that frequent inter-kraal meetings by elders and recovery of stolen cattle have brokered peace along the volatile border.

Releasing the findings in Kitale, PJCK Director Leonard Barasa said unlike the past when the border witnessed a series of attacks and counter attacks, few and isolated cases are currently being reported.

"For the past one year, cattle rustling and banditry attacks along the border has gone down by 45 per cent, and this has been as a result of regular inter-village meetings and improved security network by Government and peace actors," the reports revels.

Mr Barasa said the prevailing peace in the region is encouraging despite isolated cases of livestock thefts adding that the region is set to become a food hub.