The County Government of West Pokot convened the Karamoja Cluster Initiative Stakeholders’ Inception Forum in Kapenguria, bringing together a broad spectrum of actors, including government officials, youth representatives, peace practitioners, civil society organizations, and development partners.
The high-level engagement focused on strengthening peacebuilding frameworks, enhancing youth participation, and deepening cross-border cooperation across the Karamoja Cluster region.
The forum was organized by the International Conference on the Great Lakes Region (ICGLR) Regional Youth Forum Secretariat and led by Mr. Enock Akoule.
It provided a strategic platform for reflection, dialogue, and shared learning on collaborative pathways toward sustainable peace.
Stakeholders call
Participants emphasized the urgency of coordinated action in advancing peaceful coexistence, reinforcing social cohesion, and promoting inclusive development within a region shaped by complex cross-border dynamics.
Speaking during the forum, West Pokot County Executive Committee Member for Public Service Management, Devolved Units Administration and ICT, Ms. Esther Chelimo, underscored the central role of young people in shaping lasting peace and regional stability.
She noted that empowering youth is both a present necessity and a long-term investment in peacebuilding, regional integration, and community transformation.
Ms. Chelimo further emphasized that sustainable peace can only be achieved through inclusive participation, structured dialogue, and sustained collaboration among all stakeholders.
National government
The national government delegation was led by West Pokot County Commissioner David Saruni, who was accompanied by Deputy County Commissioners from Pokot North, Kacheliba, Loima, and Aroo sub-counties.
Their presence reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to strengthening peace initiatives and enhancing cross-border cooperation mechanisms aimed at fostering stability and sustainable development across the Karamoja Cluster region.
Historical hostilities
Communities within the Karamoja Cluster have historically experienced recurrent hostilities driven largely by competition over scarce natural resources such as pasture and water, cattle rustling, and cycles of retaliatory attacks across porous border areas.
These tensions have periodically escalated into violent clashes involving pastoralist groups, undermining security along inter-county and cross-border corridors.
The impact of these hostilities has been profound and long-lasting.
Many families have been displaced from their ancestral homes, disrupting livelihoods and increasing vulnerability.
Education has also been affected, with learning frequently interrupted in some areas during periods of insecurity as schools close temporarily for safety reasons.
Access to essential services such as healthcare, markets, and administrative support has equally been constrained during outbreaks of violence.
Economic and social consequences
On the economic front, livestock losses during raids have severely affected household incomes and weakened the pastoral economy that sustains many communities in the region.
Cross-border trade and movement have also been disrupted, limiting economic interaction and slowing development in border areas.
Persistent insecurity has strained inter-community relations, deepened mistrust, and created barriers to social cohesion and regional integration.
Building a path to lasting peace
Despite these challenges, ongoing peacebuilding efforts such as the Karamoja Cluster Initiative Stakeholders’ Forum continue to play a critical role in rebuilding trust, strengthening dialogue, and promoting sustainable pathways toward long-term peace and cooperation among affected communities.
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Stakeholders expressed optimism that enhanced collaboration among governments, communities, civil society organizations, and development partners will contribute significantly to lasting peace, stability, and shared prosperity within the Karamoja Cluster region.
By Hillary Muhalya
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