PACIDA Facilitates Peace Talks to Defuse Marsabit Tensions

June 14, 2026 - The Pastoralist Community Initiative and Development Assistance (PACIDA) has supported a peace dialogue between two communities in Marsabit Central following an attack in May that threatened to trigger retaliatory violence and deepen intercommunal tensions.

The dialogue, held in  Segel, brought together elders, women and youth representatives, peace committees, local administrators and security officials to address grievances arising from the incident and promote reconciliation.

The tensions stemmed from an attack by unknown individuals targeting herders in Kambinye Marsabit Central, which resulted in the death of  four camels  and injuries to several others. 

The loss of the animals, which hold immense cultural and economic significance for pastoralist communities, raised fears of revenge attacks and further conflict.

According to PACIDA, community members sought support to facilitate communication and dialogue as concerns grew over the possibility of escalating violence.

The peace meeting was facilitated by Deputy County Commissioner Matthew Wambugu  and attended by members of the  County Peace Committees,Marsabit Central OCPD Beethoven Gachago, and PACIDA Chief Executive Officer Patrick Katelo.

During the discussions, participants openly addressed the incident and explored ways of preventing further hostilities. Community leaders emphasized the importance of dialogue, restraint and cooperation in resolving disputes and maintaining stability in the region.

PACIDA said the engagement culminated in a commitment by both communities to embrace peace, forgiveness and mutual understanding. The parties also pledged to strengthen peaceful coexistence and continue sharing resources harmoniously.

“The two communities chose the path of peace, forgiveness and mutual understanding,” PACIDA said in a statement, noting that the dialogue provided a platform for rebuilding trust and preventing further conflict.

Marsabit County has experienced periodic resource-based conflicts, often linked to competition over grazing land and water, making community-led peace initiatives a critical component of local conflict prevention efforts.

PACIDA reaffirmed its commitment to supporting dialogue-driven approaches to conflict resolution, saying such engagements remain essential in fostering reconciliation, strengthening social cohesion and building lasting peace among neighbouring communities.

The organization urged residents to continue embracing peaceful mechanisms for resolving disputes and to work closely with local leaders and security agencies to safeguard harmony in the area.