Samuru north: The Third Edition of the Tobong’ Nawi Festival in Samburu North Sub-county has brought together hundreds of residents of the Turkana community to celebrate their culture and promote peace in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the colourful event held at the Nyani Stadium in Nachola Ward under the theme ‘Celebrating our culture to promote peaceful co-existence and climate resilience for sustainable development’ showcased the rich heritage of traditions of the Turkana people. Calls for continued harmony between the two communities living in the region underlined the event.
Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit emphasised the importance of peace, adding that he will hold dialogues with Turkana and Samburu morans to come up with a grazing formula ahead of the dry season. ‘In the coming days I will engage Samburu warriors at Leibashai and their Turkana counterparts at Charda to come up with a grazing formula because we want to avoid conflict over dwindling resources,’ Governor Lelelit announced.
Lelelit said that security roads have been constructed to promote peace in Samburu North by easing police patrols in the previously inaccessible terrains. The Governor added that his Administration has employed members of the Turkana community on permanent and pensionable terms, reinforcing his commitment to unifying all communities living in Samburu County. ‘After I was sworn into Office, I said my Administration will be committed to promoting peace and inclusivity in Samburu County and this is also achieved by employing minority groups,’ he said.
Nachola Ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA), Lawrence Lorunyei, echoed Governor’s efforts of finding a lasting peace in Baragoi, adding that no Samburu or Turkana should lose their lives through intercommunal conflict. ‘Most people, including their leaders, regretted that many believed that peace cannot be achieved in Baragoi but through our efforts and working closely with the government, we have achieved relative peace since 2022,’ Lorunyei said.
Veronica Lomira, a resident of Nachola Ward, said that the Tobong’ Nawi Festival has continued to unify communities in Samburu North and lauded local leaders for their political goodwill to ensure there is a dawn of lasting peace. ‘When there was conflict, we used to suffer a lot as women and children. There are a number of women who were widowed and we do not want to go back to the dark days,’ she said.
The Tobong’ Nawi Festival has become a platform for promoting inter-community harmony and cultural exchange in Samburu North since 2022. It is an offshoot of the Tobong’ Lore Festival popularly known as the Lake Turkana Festival and it’s not only meant to celebrate the Turkana culture outside Turkana County but also to forge lasting peace with their neighbouring communities.