East African Community Affairs CS Beatrice Askul has led a special delegation sent by President William Ruto to Uganda to address cross-border peace and security concerns, including past violent conflicts involving herders along the Kenya-Uganda border.
Askul was accompanied by President’s Special Peace Envoy for the Ateker Region John Munyes and leaders from Turkana county.
She met Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo in talks aimed at resolving tensions linked to the killing of Ugandans in Moroto District in 2022.
The incident led to the arrest and detention of several Turkana herders in Ugandan prisons, escalating tensions between pastoralist communities on both sides of the border.
“This was a follow-up discussion stemming from direct engagements between President Ruto and President Yoweri Museveni,” Askul said.
"Both leaders remain committed to resolving the conflict and ensuring lasting peace in the region."
She said Kenya and Uganda share strong historical and social ties and stressed the need to maintain peaceful coexistence among border communities.
“As neighbouring nations, we need each other. President Ruto has directed us to follow up on all pending issues and ensure our communities live peacefully alongside one another,” she said.
Uganda’s Vice President Alupo praised Kenya for initiating high-level diplomatic engagement to address the conflict and acknowledged Nairobi’s commitment to compensating families affected by the 2022 killings.
“Uganda deeply appreciates Kenya’s acceptance of the settlement framework and commitment to formal compensation for the bereaved families,” Alupo said.
The compensation arrangement is anchored under the 'Okukarababa' blood settlement framework agreed upon by the two countries and affected communities.
Askul also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to implementing the bilateral Memorandum of Understanding and Resource Sharing Agreement between the two nations.
The framework allows pastoralist communities, including the Turkana, Pokot, Teso and Karamojong, to share water and pasture during drought periods, while promoting peace-building initiatives.
“We are fully committed to ensuring communities utilise shared resources peacefully and in a manner that promotes development and stability,” Askul said.
Among those present at the meeting were Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga, Turkana Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, Turkana Woman Representative Cecilia Asinyen, Turkana West MP Epuyo Nanok and Loima MP Protus Akujah.
Munyes said the peace initiative would strengthen relations between the two countries and help prevent future conflicts among border communities.
