Peacebuilding interventions promote inter-community trade

By Koech Cheruiyot Denis

Turkana communities have been in recurrent conflict for decades. This had led to loss of life, destruction of property and disruption of economic activities that the two communities used to engage in. Due to government and other actors’ interventions, the two communities have lived in peace for the past one year. This has provided an ample ground for the two communities to revert to their past economic activities.

Peter Maarok, a trader who has seized the market opportunity in Epuke. Photo: Koech C Denis.

One of the areas that is reaping the fruits of peace is Apuke, a Turkana-West Pokot border area. A local, 30 year-old Peter Maarok says the place had been a long time battle-field. It is now a fast growing open market place.
The market place is fast growing owing to recent intra and inter-community dialogue meetings that PEARL has organized in areas neighbouring Apuke such as Nariwomoru, Nakwamoru and Kotaruk. Local peace committees are using the dialogue meetings to not only promote Apuke as a market place but also as a meeting point for both Pokot and Turkana communities.

PEARL is a two-year USAID-funded program that is increasing stability in Northwestern Kenya by supporting Pokot and Turkana communities, government and the private sector to peacefully manage change and increase prosperity.

“Initially, this is where Pokot and Turkana used to take their fighting to climax. Many people lost their lives as they tried to quench their thirst in a river down there,” Maarok says, pointing at a bush a few meters from where we were.

Maarok uses a motorbike to transport his trade goods from Lochereilim, a trading center about 10 kilometres from Apuke. He sells household goods. Other goods being sold in the market include livestock, milk and cereals among others.

“I earn a living from this. I do my business in Lochereilim for most of the days of the week except Saturday. I wake up early to come here every Saturday. I also meet my Pokot friends who usually come here with their goods too. This has been made possible by the existing peace,” Maarok concludes.