MIGORI: Civil society organizations, church leaders, and local peace advocates in Migori County have issued a unified call for urgent measures to tackle insecurity, boundary disputes, and resource-driven conflict as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.

Speaking during commemorations for the International Day of Peace, local actors acknowledged the initial progress made by government authorities and partner organizations in calming troubled areas.

However, they stressed that long-term stability requires confronting the underlying root causes of regional tension.

Stella Etyang, representing Mennonite Development Services Kenya, emphasized that peace building cannot be treated as a single annual occasion, but rather demands sustained, everyday community engagement.

“Our mission centers on building peace and resilience through transformational community development,” Etyang noted.

She highlighted that her organization has set up active peace centers in hotspot areas like Enamasi and Nyaigutu.

These hubs rely on trained local peace resource personnel who collaborate directly with residents and government agencies to manage emerging security threats and de-escalate conflicts before they escalate.

Etyang cautioned that conflict-affected communities are still on a journey toward total peace, making continued community empowerment essential.

She pointed to land boundary disagreements and fierce competition over limited natural resources as key drivers of conflict across Kuria, Ntimaru, Baragoi and Nyatike, noting that these issues often conceal deeper socio-ethnic frictions.

Adding to the discussion, Jane Boke Mwita of the Universal Relief Foundation highlighted persistent safety issues in the Kuria region, particularly around Kehancha and Ntimaru.

While praising ongoing government interventions, she urged authorities to bolster security protocols well before the upcoming election cycle.

Porous border

Mwita explained that Kuria’s proximity to a porous border with Tanzania, coupled with expanding regional economic activity, has drawn diverse populations into the area.

In particular, the boom in gold mining has attracted workers and traders from across East and Central Africa, including Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia.

However, Mwita warned against scapegoating foreign nationals or specific ethnic groups for localized crime. She maintained that security challenges in Kuria stem from complex factors rather than simple political interference or foreign migration alone.

Echoing these concerns, Titus Orwa, Secretary-General of the Migori County Civil Society Organization Forum, raised alarms over Migori’s growing reputation as a volatile political hotspot due to heightened political intolerance and unresolved border tensions.

Orwa, who also serves as Secretary to the Migori County Multi-Sectoral Peace Committee for the 2027 General Elections, appealed directly to local politicians to tone down aggressive rhetoric and allow citizens to prepare for the elections in a peaceful environment.

He urged residents to vote responsibly and firmly reject political violence.

To address criminal activity directly, Orwa advocated for the digital registration and tracking of all commercial motorcycle riders (boda bodas) across Migori County.

He suggested implementing this system through local rider associations and Saccos to streamline identification and assist police during criminal investigations.

Additionally, Orwa addressed the long-standing border conflict between Migori and neighboring Trans Mara, which has historically claimed lives, disrupted trade, and slowed local economic development.

He urged the national government to intervene decisively, secure border zones, and settle the line disputes before political campaigns intensify.

“With elections around the corner, the national government must prioritize securing all our internal and regional borders,” Orwa insisted.

Peace policy

He further called on the Migori County Assembly to expedite the enactment of the proposed Migori County Peace Policy, which would establish a formal legal framework to handle peace-building initiatives and conflict management.

Stakeholders concluded the peace forum by reminding the public that peace remains a shared civic duty requiring continuous cooperation among government officials, religious institutions, political figures, civil society groups, and everyday citizens.

They urged residents to utilize formal dialogue, respect territorial lines, and report early warning signs of conflict to authorities to safeguard the county’s future.