KORBESA MARKET IN KINA ISIOLO SOUTH HAS COME BACK TO LIFE AFTER ELDERS BROKERED A CEASE-FIRE

REINVENT through Isiolo Peacelink facilitated the elders to help them conduct the peace process. The cease-fire agreement between elders from the Abud Wak clan of the Somali and Borana community of Kina in Isiolo south has since triggered intercommunity activities that were once forgotten in the area. The peace deal came after a series of meetings conducted in Isiolo, Garissa, and other places with the aim of, ending five years of tension and suspicion among members of the two warring communities. Korbesa Market in Kina South on Tuesdays during the market, days is now a beacon of activities as traders in goods and livestock flock to the market to buy and sell. Dera Nura a member of the peace committee who took part in the recent landmark decision said that the peace brokered between the two communities would now resurrect what was once destroyed by war. According to Nura, the market which is already starting to show signs of robust business activities will soon be an important economic pillar for both communities. Amina Hajj a trader said that the suspicions they had amongst themselves were starting to fade away although many locals are yet to settle down permanently at the market. According to Amina most of the traders go back to the neighboring towns to spend the night after the market is closed. Another trader Nuria Hajj said that the insecurity has brought losses to both of the warring parties. Despite that, she called upon the government to install police officers and patrols in the area. She also said that many residents were still feeling insecure due to the unavailability of communication masts and telecommunication networks. According to Nuria political leaders have not been at the forefront to show goodwill in the ongoing peace strategies that have been enabled by elders coming together. Inspector Julius Mutabari of the Peace Corps said that the greatest reason for the conflict between the members of the two communities came as a result of competition for pasture and grazing. According to Mutabari efforts were being made to educate the residents of alternative dispute resolution that would enable them to share available grazing resources without resulting in conflict. He explained that the residents should also be trained on climate change mitigation mechanisms that would help them avoid the recurrence of droughts in the future. Roba Galgalo said that the residents have committed to forget the previous atrocities unconditionally for them to have a lasting peace. He said other arrangements of sharing grazing fields would be made by elders to avoid conflicts in the future. ENDS…