The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), in collaboration with multi-agency partners, concluded the four-day Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) North Rift Sports for Peace Tournament with a vibrant ceremony that celebrated unity, culture, and reconciliation.
The event, held in Chemolingot, Tiaty Central Sub-County, brought together communities from six North Rift counties in a powerful demonstration of peace through sports and cultural exchange.
The closing ceremony was graced by Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen as Chief Guest, alongside Governors Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo).
Security chiefs, including OMU Commander Brig. Alex Kiraguri and Deputy Inspector General of Administration Police Service Gilbert Masengeli, also attended, reinforcing the government’s commitment to peacebuilding in the region.
Over 1,000 athletes competed in athletics, football, volleyball, and dance throughout the tournament.
More than just competition, the event offered a platform for dialogue and reconciliation, bringing together communities that have long been divided by cycles of insecurity.
The football final, pitting KDF against Kaben FC of Elgeyo Marakwet, epitomized the spirit of unity.
After a dramatic draw in regulation and extra time, the penalty shootout extended so long that organizers declared it an official tie, a symbolic shared victory for peace.
Adding vibrancy to the celebrations were cultural performances from six counties, showcasing Kenya’s rich heritage and underscoring culture as a unifying force beyond sport.
CS Murkomen lauded the initiative as a milestone in promoting harmony and social cohesion in historically volatile regions.
“Operation Maliza Uhalifu (OMU) has recorded remarkable success in silencing guns and restoring peace in the Kerio Valley region. Building on this momentum, we are intensifying interventions geared towards deepening cohesion, fostering reconciliation, and pacifying the region further for sustainable development,” he said.
He reaffirmed the government’s resolve to curb the proliferation of illegal arms, urging communities to embrace peace and support security efforts.
“Even as we celebrate the gains we have made so far, we are ramping up our efforts to pacify the few remaining troubled areas. We call upon local leaders and members of the public to continue supporting security and development initiatives in the region for lasting peace to be realised,” added Murkomen.
The tournament was organized by the OMU multi-agency security team, in partnership with organizations such as Interpeace, the Children for Peace Initiative (CPI), and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC).
The event’s success reaffirmed that peace is possible when collaboration and cultural exchange take precedence over conflict.
As the final whistle blew and dancers took the stage, the message was clear: North Rift is choosing peace, one game, one dance, and one dialogue at a time.