The Tura-Narasha water supply project has promoted peace among the pastoral communities in both Isiolo and Laikipia, where water scarcity once fuelled conflict, resulting in loss of lives and property.
Speaking on Friday during the launch of the more than Sh20 million project in Tura, residents said that their lives had returned to normalcy thanks to the water project in the area that has made the two counties coexist peacefully.
Mary Mosian’, a Laikipia resident, reveals that following the availability of water for their domestic and livestock use, the skirmishes among pastoralists had reduced, and they can now focus on bead-making to generate income and support their families.
‘’We came together as women in both counties of Isiolo and Laikipia through peace committees and found a solution to the conflicts through involving the young people,” she revealed.
She added, “We are living in harmony, and through this water project, we meet here and exchange ideas, including selling artefacts without fear. Our lives are better.’’
The project is supported by the Swedish Government through the Northern Rangeland Trust (NRT) and other development partners. Residents said it was a well-deviced initiative in addressing conflict in the once volatile region.
In 2021, when a new wave of violence swept the Rift Valley region, resulting in the loss of lives, residents revealed that a task force was formed and comprised of elders from affected communities and national and local government representatives aimed at quelling the sporadic conflicts which birthed the idea of the water project.
Leaders led by NRT CEO Tom Lalampaa said that the water project had acted as a unifying factor between the two pastoral communities.
“The water for peace in Tura-Narasha is on the border of Isiolo and Laikipia, a section that has experienced conflict for many years. This water project is acting as a unifying factor between these two communities since the water flows to both counties,” said Lalampaa.
He pointed out that women had played a critical role in restoring peace along the boundary between the two counties and at the same time lauded the donors for their support to the local communities aimed at elevating their lives.
“I want to emphasise the role women have played in peacebuilding among these communities, and they are taking part in dialogue. Women are becoming champions on matters of peace,” NRT CEO noted.
Sweden’s Embassy Head of Development Cooperation, Ms. Annika Otterstedt, said that the Swedish Government was keen on supporting women in the local communities to better their lives through water and peacebuilding initiatives.
She urged other partners to join hands and create opportunities for women and men in the pastoral areas and, at the same time, explore other initiatives that could uplift their lives.
Additionally, she called for collaboration in developing remote areas through preserving biodiversity.
By Muturi Mwangi
