West Pokot sets 2 laws in motion in pursuit of Northern Frontier peace

West Pokot County has set in motion two pieces of legislation to help enhance peace in the Northern Frontier counties, which have long been plagued by communal clashes, bandit attacks, cattle rustling and other such criminal activities.

Governors from the region, under the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), have come together to facilitate peace and economic growth through partnerships, the Peace Building Policy Act, and the Disaster Risk Management Policy & Act.

West Pokot set the two Acts in Motion on Tuesday, their main objectives being to promote peace and cohesion through proactive responses to peacebuilding initiatives and to harmonise peace and cohesion policies and plans in the FCDC region.

The laws establish the foundation for peace and disaster risk management in the county, facilitating coordinated programmes and stakeholder involvement for enhanced outcomes.

"Today marks a significant achievement as West Pokot becomes the third county in FCDC to pass these frameworks after Lamu and Turkana," West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin said. "These frameworks mark significant milestones achieved through our collaborative efforts and commitment as partners."

The other members of the FCDC are Turkana, Lamu, Wajir, Isiolo, Tana River, Marsabit, Samburu, Garissa, and Mandera.

Counties in the socio-economic bloc do not fund it so it relies on donations from partners including USAID Kuza, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), Saferworld, the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC), the Drylands Learning and Capacity Building Initiative (DLCI), International Alert and World Vision Kenya.

West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin and other officials launch the Peace Building Policy Act, and the Disaster Risk Management Policy & Act, championed by the Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC), on February 26, 2024. (Photo: FCDC)

In 2019, the FCDC embarked on developing a regional peace policy and model legislation with support from USAID Kuza, a US-supported project that supports Kenya's economic development through policy, capacity development and investment efforts.

The two laws also support a peace-building forum where the coordination of peace dividend infrastructure in the FCDC region occurs, and synergy to reduce duplication of efforts.

The Sector Forum for Peace and Cohesion (SFPC) was established in 2020 with support from the DFID, through Saferworld and SDC, and the DLCI. It consists of county executive committee members, chief officers, directors of peace, and other officials responsible for peace and cohesion in the FCDC member counties.

The sector forum enhances cooperation, coordination and information flow between counties and with the national government and other stakeholders on issues related peace, cohesion and security.

In collaboration with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), it convened several meetings with communities in Marsabit County for talks on resolving conflicts. There have also been meetings with elders, women and youth from all the major communities that have been fighting each other.

The SFPC has mediated in conflicts, achieving goals such as restoring peace between communities in Wajir and Marsabit, and in Isiolo and Garissa.

It advocates for increased financial and technical support for county directorates or departments for peace and cohesion and acts as a medium for the exchange of knowledge and best practices.