How KDF’s grassroots initiatives are transforming once volatile North Rift region

For years, the North Rift region has been defined by violence, displacement, and a cycle of revenge that seemed unbreakable. Efforts to restore peace often leaned on security operations, leaving communities trapped in fear and uncertainty. Today, however, a quiet revolution is taking shape through dialogue, mediation and grassroots initiatives.

Across villages once divided by deep-seated rivalries, former enemies are sitting together, finding common ground over shared concerns like pasture, boundaries, education, livelihoods, and security.

Security officials under Operation Maliza Uhalifu North Rift, local administration officials and religious leaders are leading the efforts, proving that peace comes from within.

This is the story of how mediation and community engagement are not only ending hostilities but also renewing a sense of hope among residents and building a lasting foundation for peace in Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, West Pokot, Samburu, Laikipia and Turkana counties where many locals now want the ongoing operation sustained for as long as they need it.

Complementary activities

This is especially so courtesy of the complementary activities by the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) that have seen those tracking tens of kilometres in search of water get frequent refills from the military through its water bowsers, access medical help through its medical camps, food donations, interact through games, as well as through the concluded renovation and handing over of 14 schools across the six counties.

The 14 are Arabal, Kapindasum,Kolowa, Chepkesin, Kositei, Chesitet, Mukutani, Chemorilwon and primary schools in Baringo County, Kasokotow primary school in Elgeyo Marakwet, Pura and Baragoi primary schools in Samburu, Lomero and Loyapat primary schools as well as Kapedo Mixed Secondary School in Turkana County.

"These (activities) have helped the community gain confidence with the troops," said Lt. Col Celestine Ismael Papa, the commanding officer of the KDF operation.

On Monday last week, KDF conducted its latest civil-military cooperation activity in Lomelo village within Turkana County.

"We normally conduct CIMIC (Civil-Military Cooperation) activities from time to time. Today we are in Lomelo after the area chief made a request for us to provide the community with fresh water after two boreholes became unserviceable, we came along with medical services and foodstuff for the community. Through such activities the members of the community feel safe around us and they are able to access us and, in the process, we are able to intercept various criminal activities," said Major Yusuf Sora, the officer commanding Chesitet Forward Operating Base.

Finn Church Aid (FCA), a Finnish company working in the region for the last eight years helping boost peace efforts alongside the government, is part of the organisations complementing peace efforts in the North Rift through soft approaches.

"Since 2023, we have had the multiagency security operation and I am happy to note that that has been one of the solutions to the challenges here. I say this because for once we are addressing the root causes of the conflict," FCA's project coordinator Charles Abondi said.

Lasting peace

At the same time, Bishop Yusuf Losute of the Africa Inland Church (AIC) in Tiaty said ongoing efforts will provide the much-needed cure to lasting peace in the region, adding that the presence of critical infrastructure is vital for that peace to endure.

"Peace comes from God, from you and me and the church is a bridge to this as it brings unity to all tribes. That we become one, as in the children of God. Before KDF arrived here, we had major security issues but they have sat us down, walked with us and engaged us in peace efforts that have helped ease off bitterness amongst neighbours in the community and amongst our political leaders," he said.

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Timothy Kiptoo, the Principal of Chemolingot KMTC Campus says when the institution was established, it used to depend on water borrowed from the adjacent Chemolingot Sub-County Hospital, whose system would sometimes break down forcing the college to buy from water bowsers around.

"However, when the President came to launch the college in August last year, it was one of my written submissions to request a borehole, and he directed the KDF to drill one which has since ended our water problem, helped us cut costs, and even supply to the nearby school," said Mr Kiptoo.

At the neighbouring North Rift Technical and Vocational College, the Principal Mr Luke Tallam notes that frequent football matches between the soldiers deployed to OMU and his students have helped build cohesion in the school and community, the soldiers also come through for the college with water provision on the times when the solar pump fails.

"They come to play with the students, thus building trust and friendliness," the principal said.

On his part, Cheptulel Boys High School Principal James Koitilo wants the communities in the region, particularly Cheptulel village which hosts his school, to keep the current state of peace.

School dropouts

"This problem has been here for quite some time and has caused harm, most students have dropped out of school and joined cattle rustling so I call upon them to keep peace. Let them forget what has happened before and we forge a way forward and have a peaceful co-existence where people can move freely."

"The people of Cheptulel who moved away, I want to tell them that we have peace, let them come back to their homes, do farming, and support us as a school because it is a bit difficult to exist in a deserted area, we have a problem getting supplies, we go so far to get vegetables something that we could get from the community, also grinding maize. Just as we are, we have peace. We have enough multi agency officials around and an NPR is being launched here. Let the community come back and we live together," he implored.

Hellen Kangogo, a resident of Embossos, urged parents to dissuade their children from engaging in cattle rustling.

"If you know your child engages in banditry and cattle rustling, why don't you talk to them and ask them to stop? Since 2012, these attacks have forced us to abandon our investments. Had they not happened, this place would have developed greatly," she said.

Avoid early pregnancies

Going back to school has helped girls avoid early pregnancies, with Ms Berthsheba Chemuiywi, a teacher at Arabal Primary School, confirming that her school has given opportunities for some to continue with their education even as young mothers.

"One of them cleared in 2023 and has since joined college thus securing her future," she said.

On its part, the government has established a school feeding programme that is helping sustain learners in school, the majority of whom are from vulnerable homes.

Mr Ndung'u Macharia, the Assistant County Commissioner for Tot Division in Kerio Valley, confirmed that a land adjudication programme has also kicked off in the region to allocate land to residents as a means to end land and boundary disputes.