Over 300 youth once linked to cattle rustling and banditry from the Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Maasai communities have come together in Transmara, Narok County, in a peace initiative aimed at ending years of bloodshed.
The youth, some of whom had taken part in ambushes and highway attacks, now say they are turning a new leaf, vowing to return home as ambassadors of peace.
Citizen TV graced the powerful transformation at the grounds of Emurutoto Secondary School, of the youth who once hid in thick forests, lying in wait along lonely roads, launching deadly ambushes on motorists, other road users and rival communities.
Once heavily armed, striking without warning, and disappearing back into the bush but today they stood together unarmed. Former adversaries united.
Pokot, Turkana, Samburu and Maasai youth showcased cultural dances after a week-long peace training sponsored by a local Seventh-day Adventist Church organisation.
In the places they come from, such gatherings often signal danger. But here, there was laughter and hope.
Stephen Lokima, a 34-year-old youth leader from Turkana, says this is a moment he never imagined.
“Sikuwa najua kwamba nitawezana kukutana na mwenzangu kutoka Pokot, Samburu na Maasai… sisi huwa tuko kati kati ya Samburu na Pokot… sikujua naweza kuwa siku moja darasa moja na kulala na Pokot mahali moja… hatukujua kumbe ndani ya ukristo unaezapata amani…” he said.
An ex-Pokot bandit, Nasit Samuel, added: “Siku ya leo tuko hapa sehemu ya Narok… tume experience mafunzo mengi kwamba kuishi kama ndugu ni umuhimu… tumepata mafunzo kujua kuwa kuua ni mbaya na kuiba pia mbaya.”
For years, many of these youth have lived a life defined by conflict, spending days in the wilderness herding livestock and nights staging attacks, targeting villages and waylaying travellers along remote roads.
They say that the chapter is now closing.
They are choosing to walk from village to village, preaching peace and discouraging their peers from taking up arms.
“Tulipokuwa tukiingia Northern Kenya na injili… tulisema ilikuwa muhimu kuchukua vijana hawa ili wajue it is possible wawe pamoja… wanasema wako tayari kuwa ma-agenti kule nyumbani…” said Daniel Misashi, the director of Mara Vision.
Samburu youth leader Daniel Leswekere on peace efforts among the communities said, “By the end of the training, the youth embrace, sing and make a promise to lay down their weapons and pick up a new mission.”
Local administrators, including chiefs and their deputies, have joined hands in supporting the initiative, especially in areas hard hit by banditry.
“We came peace caravan, vijana hawa wameamua kubury their hatchet and remain as friends,” said Kisima sub-chief Benson Ole Dempui said.
The youth have embarked on a journey of fostering unity and peaceful coexistence among communities.
