Concerted Stakeholders’ Efforts Yield Positive Results as Sondu Region Experiences Peace, Trade, and Calls for a Permanent Resolution
KISUMU, Kenya, September 2025– The national celebrations for the 2025 International Day of Peace erupted with pomp and colour in Kisumu on Sunday, serving as a powerful testament to the hard-won tranquillity now defining the once-volatile borders of Kisumu, Kericho, and Nandi counties.
For decades, these areas were scarred by inter-community skirmishes that claimed countless lives and destroyed property worth millions.
Stakeholders from government, security agencies, and peace organisations unanimously praised the concerted efforts that have replaced conflict with coexistence, cohesion, and thriving cross-border trade.
This remarkable turnaround is largely credited to the historic agreement brokered by a coalition of state and non-state actors led by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
Riding on this success, Kisumu County Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o called for the erection of a commemoration plaque at Sondu’s “boundaries” site, officially declaring the perennial ‘small disagreements’ with Kericho County “a thing of the past.”
“Nobody actually knows where the exact boundary is,” Nyong’o admitted, as he pointed to the colonial-era maps for reference.
“But we have chosen dialogue over division. We sit together, listen, and find common ground.”
He issued a national challenge: “A time has come for Kenya to definitively and justly address all internal border disputes.”
This sentiment was echoed by representatives of Kericho County Governor Erick Mutai, who reiterated a steadfast commitment to creating lasting solutions for future generations.
Echoing the year’s theme, “Act Now for a Peaceful World,” NCIC Chairman Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia praised the administrations for their relentless pursuit of peace.
“Peace cannot wait,” Dr Kobia stated while urging that; “It must be actively nurtured.”
He highlighted the fragility of peace in regions like Mandera, Marsabit, Isiolo, and Sondu, noting that Kenya still grapples with ethnic mistrust, political exclusion, and inequality.
To address these, he cited NCIC initiatives like Amani Clubs in schools, the “Amani Kwa Ground” process in Sondu, and nationwide anti-hate speech campaigns.
“Peace is built not just in conference halls, but in our homes, schools, and communities, in the way we treat each other every day,” he said.
He called on all Kenyans to: “Reject hate speech, embrace dialogue over confrontation, champion justice and equality, and teach our children the values of unity.”
Nyanza Regional Commissioner Flora Mworoa expressed delight at the region’s relative calm, confirming that the success on the Kisumu-Kericho border provides a blueprint for addressing tensions at the Migori-Narok border.
She issued a firm warning to those holding illegal arms to surrender them immediately before the government launches forced disarmament exercises.
The day’s events were marked by symbolic tree planting, heart-wrenching testimonies from widows of conflict, and vibrant songs and dances from different groups.
The remarkable occasion also honoured Peace Ambassadors, individuals and organisations from across the greater Nyanza region, with medals, plaques, and certificates for their stellar performances.
Concluding the celebrations, Governor Nyong’o emphasised the urgent need to include youth in nation-building dialogues.
“They are not just the inheritors of our peace or conflicts,” he said, “but our essential partners in shaping a more just and stable society. Their energy, innovation, and impatience with old grievances are the assets we need to break cycles of violence.”
