Last week we held a workshop on peace and non-violent communication in Kibish. The talks were conducted by Fr Fredrick Rubbino from the Philippines and two other facilitators from Nairobi. Those who attended the workshop were only the Turkana community.

During the workshop, the elderly, both men and women, expressed their deep longing for peace. Some seem tired of these wars, and they are now pleading for peace. The ongoing violent conflict is emotionally affecting the people of all communities living in the area. At the sound of the gun, a life or livelyhood could be lost from either one of the three confronted communities, Turkana, Nyangatom, or Toposa. Young herders usually carry out the raids, and unfortunately, youth from both sides were absent during the peace talks. So those who attended agreed to share what they learned before bringing them together.

After the conference, we had a peaceful pilgrimage to the Ethiopian side. We were highly welcomed by the elders from the Nyangatom community and the security forces from the Ethiopian side. During the encounter, elders from both sides shared the pain the constant killings and raids among the three communities. Elders were also informed that clearing the bush from the Kenyan side of the border towards the Ethiopian border has started. The opening of the way is meant to benefit the two communities, especially to enhance peaceful interaction and trading.

We started a dialogue, which has to continue, and we pray that that they will reach some agreement and attain peace in this wonderful and fertile region. Let’s keep on praying and working for peace since this is the only way of bringing together the three communities for their common good for the generations to come.

Fr. Joseph Githinji MCSPA

Last week on Thursday and Friday, Ss. Joachim and Anne Catholic parish in Kibish, held a parish pastoral council meeting together with all our Catechists.

We invited the delegates from Prince of Peace -Naturumoe from Nyangatom in Ethiopia. 8 members arrived at Kibish parish, being lead by their head Catechist and were welcomed by the border  police officials before they proceeded to the parish where the Parish priest and his team received them.

The Catechists from Nyangatom and Ss. Joachim and Anne Catholic parish, started the meeting with a lot of enthusiasm and the key point was Ekisil…PEACE. Peace between the three communities leaving at the border in Kibish.

Lack of Peace has left many communities and families divided, many have lost their lives especially the young people within the bordering communities.

The delegation from Nyangatom came with the message requesting the Kenyan communities to accept and sign up the peace agreement which is still in discussion from the Nyangatom. Also they requested the Catholic under Ss. Joachim and Anne since their faith is strong, to crossover to Prince of Peace Parish – Naturomoe in order to help in reawakening the Faith of the people in Nyangatom since it is a first evangelization area.

The meeting was crowned with Holy Mass and thereafter all shared lunch and the Nyangatom team left Kibish with a lot of JOY hoping that soon PEACE will be restored

Fr. Joseph Githinji- MCSPA