Two long-feuding villages in Marsabit County have taken a historic step toward lasting peace after elders from Qoloba and Antut formally signed a natural resource-sharing agreement aimed at preventing clashes over grazing land and water. The pact, witnessed by local administrators and peace committees, establishes clear rules on how pastoralist communities in Moyale subcounty will access pasture, water points and other shared natural resources, especially during seasons of scarcity. Officials say the written protocol replaces decades of informal arrangements that often collapsed during drought, fuelling deadly confrontations.
The agreement follows years of dialogue supported by county authorities, the National Drought Management Authority and civil society partners. It draws lessons from earlier frameworks such as the Modogashe Declaration and the Dukana Declaration, which guided cross-border peace and resource use between Kenyan and Ethiopian communities. Marsabit has long been a hotspot for inter-ethnic conflict, with the Borana and Gabra communities historically clashing during migration to seasonal grazing zones. Elders who took part in the negotiations recalled past violence, including the 2013 conflict that caused deaths, displacement and lasting mistrust. By documenting customary practices and mapping sensitive ecological zones, the new protocol provides a structured, transparent guide for when and how herders can access shared rangeland.
Local leaders and peace actors say the protocol is already revitalising cooperation, with communities welcoming the clarity it offers. Golbo Assistant County Commissioner Kipkeu Chelimo said the deal gives residents a reliable reference point that can prevent disputes before they escalate, while elders expressed optimism that younger generations will see the benefits of dialogue over confrontation. The agreement also introduces inclusive access rules that safeguard the rights of women, youth and minority clans, marking a shift from previous systems dominated only by elders. With climate change intensifying drought cycles and shrinking grazing areas, officials hope the protocol will strengthen resilience, reduce tensions and solidify the peace gains Marsabit has made over the past decade.