For decades, the Kenya-Uganda border has been a flashpoint for violence. Armed herder communities raided livestock and smuggled weapons across the porous frontier, their competition for grazing land and water often escalating during droughts.
Joseph Moit, a former participant in these raids, remembers the cycle of fear. “I lived with a gun for 15 years,” he says, reflecting on the conflict between Kenyan and Ugandan communities. He lost livestock in raids and participated in deadly attacks alongside friends, five of whom died between 2005 and 2013.
Moit blames the ease of acquiring illegal firearms on both sides of the border for fueling the violence. Authorities in both countries have tried to quell the violence. Joint security operations have targeted illegal firearms after attacks on civilians. Last year, Ugandan forces arrested 32 Kenyan herders found with weapons and ammunition. Their capture and subsequent jailing served as a turning point for Moit.
Witnessing the hardships faced by legitimate traders caught in the crossfire solidified Moit’s desire for change. He recalls a recent attack where a motorcycle taxi driver was killed and his goods stolen. Insecurity also meant food scarcity, as farmers on both sides couldn’t safely trade their produce.
Now, a new wave is emerging from these former battlegrounds – reformed warriors turning to trade for survival. Communities in Kenya and Uganda are witnessing a shift, with locals like Moit advocating for peaceful coexistence and an end to the illegal firearms trade.
This grassroots movement for peace is gaining traction. Local leaders see it as a more sustainable approach than past efforts. Urum Location Chief Stephen Lorot emphasizes the importance of reformed warriors focusing on raising livestock, a path that could open the door to development.
Hope for the future lies in increased trade. The Kenyan government has completed road repairs to facilitate cross-border commerce. Authorities believe this will benefit legitimate traders and help transform these former cattle rustling corridors into pathways for peace, development, and prosperity.
Security expert David Porkul believes lasting peace hinges on maintaining order and eliminating illegal firearms. “Commitment to peace agreements must be backed by action,” he says. Turkana County Director of Trade James Lokwale envisions a future where reformed warriors establish markets to trade livestock legally, fostering economic ties between the two countries. Ugandan shops are already appearing in Turkana, a promising sign of this new era of cooperation.
