Kenya and Uganda Launch Joint Initiative to Reaffirm Border

LOKIRIAMA/LOMOKORI REGION—The governments of Kenya and Uganda have embarked on a collaborative effort to reaffirm their shared border, initiating a comprehensive exercise focused on enhancing the visibility of their boundary in the Lokiriama/Lomokori region. This critical initiative aims to foster better understanding and cooperation between the border communities of the two nations.

According to Kenya News Agency, the joint border reaffirmation exercise began on March 11 and is slated to continue for 15 days. The operation involves a range of activities, including the marking of the boundary line, to ensure its clear visibility. Key figures in this effort include Turkana county security teams, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai from Kenya, Nairobi survey officers, and Joshua arap Sang, the Director of Public Communications. Uganda’s delegation is under the leadership of David Pulkol, a special advisor to the Ugandan president, accompanied by several senior officials.

The exercise is coordinated by multiple governmental bodies, including Kenya’s Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, the Kenya International Boundaries Office, and Uganda’s Ministry of Lands, Housing, and Urban Development. County Commissioner Kavita emphasized that the endeavor is administrative in nature, aimed at clarifying boundaries without impeding the free movement of East African Community members.

Surveyor Rotich highlighted the significance of the boundary in delineating state sovereignty and jurisdiction, underscoring the operation’s role in managing transboundary resources, fostering unity, and ensuring peaceful coexistence among border communities. The initiative includes the restoration of damaged boundary markers, construction of new pillars, and the drafting of a modern agreement to supersede outdated colonial pacts.

The involvement of local communities is a pivotal aspect of the exercise, as they will participate in construction activities and supply materials, thus engendering a sense of ownership and transparency. Efforts to dispel myths about valuable minerals in the area are also part of the communication strategy, with a commitment to engaging local elders and community members in a transparent process.