Turkana County has begun preparations for the 53rd Lokiriama Peace Accord Commemoration, scheduled for November 2026, following an assessment of the historic venue.
The annual event celebrates the 1973 peace agreement between Kenya’s Turkana and Uganda’s Matheniko communities, highlighting reconciliation and cross-border cooperation.
This year’s commemoration will focus on indigenous diplomacy, cultural heritage and shared prosperity while passing the accord’s peacebuilding legacy to younger generations.
The Turkana County Government has begun preparations for the 53rd Lokiriama Peace Accord Commemoration, scheduled for November 2026, with officials visiting the historic monument to assess the venue.
The October 28 visit was led by Abdul Lomuria, Director of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. It marked the start of preparations for the annual event celebrating the enduring peace agreement between the Turkana community of Kenya and the Matheniko community of Uganda.
This year’s commemoration will take place under the theme, “Honouring Our Origins, Charting Our Future: Indigenous Diplomacy for Cross-Border Peace and Shared Prosperity.”
The theme highlights the contribution of indigenous knowledge, traditional leadership and community-led diplomacy to conflict resolution and regional development.
Speaking during the assessment, Lomuria said the county government wanted the event to reflect the accord’s historical significance while advancing peace, cultural preservation and cross-border cooperation.
“The Lokiriama Peace Accord is a powerful symbol of unity, reconciliation, and peaceful coexistence among the Ateker communities,” he said.
“As we begin preparations for this year’s commemoration, our focus is to honour this shared history while strengthening the values of peace and cooperation for the benefit of present and future generations.”
Lomuria described the commemoration as an important fixture on the county calendar, bringing communities together to celebrate their common heritage and renew their commitment to peaceful coexistence.
Principal Culture Officer Lemmy Ejorewoia emphasised the need to preserve the history of the agreement and help younger generations understand its peacebuilding legacy.
“The Accord is an important part of our shared cultural heritage. We must preserve its history and ensure that younger generations understand the role our communities played in choosing dialogue and peaceful coexistence over conflict,” Ejorewoia said.
He added that celebrating the agreement could strengthen cultural identity and encourage communities to embrace peace as a foundation for development.
Located along the Lodwar–Moroto road, the Lokiriama monument commemorates the agreement signed in December 1973 between the Turkana and Matheniko communities.
The accord marked a turning point in relations between the two communities. As a demonstration of their commitment to ending hostilities, they symbolically buried weapons, including spears, guns, bullets, bows and arrows.
That act remains central to the monument’s significance as a symbol of reconciliation and traditional conflict resolution. The agreement illustrates how customary practices and dialogue can help communities establish peace across national borders.
Beyond honouring the historic settlement, the forthcoming commemoration seeks to strengthen cross-border relations, promote cultural tourism and create opportunities for socio-economic development.
Chief Tourism Officer Mercy Ekaale and Lokiriama Chief Sammy Losuban also participated in the venue assessment.