Kenya has already finished inspecting, reaffirming and building new border pillars at the her international boundary with Tanzania. Officials said the exercise does will not disrupt lifestyles of the border communities, and will not be barriers to peaceful coexistence and has no hidden agenda.
The pastoralists are saying they are not seeing any impact of the signed memorundum of understanding given the fact that there is still growing cattle rusttling between the Turkana, Karimojong and West Kenyan Pokot cattle keepers.
Eugene Wamalwa, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary of Devolution, says the MoU is going to facilitate peaceful coexistence between the pastoral communities across border.
The activity, ongoing at Naitakwae Play Ground in Moroto is expected to accord communities on the Kenya and Ugandan sides of the border opportunities for better co-operation, close coordination and peaceful coexistence. The MoU is also envisaged to bridge isolation gaps to improve livelihood and socio-economic conditions for sustainable peace and development in Karamoja, Turkana and West Pokot.
Kenyatta and his host Yoweri Museveni will be in Moroto to sign a Memorandum of Understanding on cross border integrated programs for sustainable and socio-economic transformation of Karamoja, Turkana and Pokot communities.
According to Arinaitwe, only soldiers with retirement certificates will be considered. He notes that all the applicants will be subjected to different tests on health and physical fitness.
The three communities were also cautioned against gender-based violence and any form of fights at the grazing land or kraals. They were tasked to report any form of misunderstandings to kraal leaders for possible resolution and promote inter-border vaccination of all animals among others.
Col. Kwikiriza reiterated the armys commitment to recover the stolen animals driven into Karamoja. He appreciated the Turkana delegation from Kenya for the gains made so far in the recoveries and called for cooperation to get rid of animal thefts and raids.
But the peace is being threatened by reports of illegal arms entering the region from neighbouring Kenya and South Sudan. The influx of arms has also revived cattle raids along borders and within the various Karimojong ethnicities.
Cattle raids have intensified in the districts of Kotido and Kaabong leading to loss of of lives and hundreds of animals. On Sunday alone, suspected armed Turkana Warriors from neighbouring Kenya reportedly raided 376 heads of cattle from a grazing area in Panyangara Sub County in Kotido district. A week before, another 103 cattle were driven away from Nakapelimoru Sub County. This makes the the number of raids in Kotido district now to five since October this year.
Three Sudanese nationals are detained at Moroto Central Police Station for illegal entry into Uganda. The suspects were arrested on June 29 along Moroto-Kenya having trekked over 100 kilometres from Lodwar town in Turkana.
Refugees who cross into Karamoja region into the border districts of Kaabong, Kotido and Amudat will be rounded up and taken to Naakabat, a former gold mining camp located in Moroto, about 30 kilometers to the Uganda-Kenya border.
Richard Aruk Maruk, the South Karamoja Regional Police Commander, says his office has received intelligence reports indicating that many of the refugees may cross and settle in various areas in Karamoja once both camps are closed.
The family aged 3-18 years was intercepted at Lokales border point on Monday along the Uganda-Kenya border inside Amudat district, 134 kilometers South East of Moroto town.
According to Lucas Lokuruka, the Senior Chief Lokiriama location in Loima district, the registered arms will remain in their custody of their current holders, who will be issued with a clearance certificate.
