Once scarred by violence, cattle raids, and deep-rooted ethnic divisions, the border region between West Pokot and Turkana counties has undergone a remarkable transformation.
The discovery of gold in areas like Kambi Karaya, Lami Nyeusi, and Turkwel has ushered in a new era of peace and prosperity, replacing fear with flourishing businesses, new schools, and rare inter-community cooperation.
A recent call by a section of leaders to close down unregulated gold mining sites over environmental and safety concerns has sparked protests, igniting fears that the tensions of the past could resurface.
For years, the region was synonymous with armed clashes and livestock thefts. Today, makeshift mining camps, bustling markets, and shared infrastructure tell a different story—one of communities working side by side in pursuit of economic opportunity.”The gold changed everything,” said a local trader in Turkwel. “People now focus on working together rather than fighting.
Children are going to school, and families are rebuilding their lives.”However, the rapid, unregulated growth of mining has raised alarm among local leaders and environmentalists, who warn of the risks of land degradation, unsafe working conditions, and exploitation.”We must not let greed destroy the land and the peace we’ve built,” one leader stated, pushing for the immediate regulation—or closure—of the informal mines.
But miners and residents say such moves could be devastating. Demonstrations have already erupted in parts of the region, with artisanal miners warning that shutting down operations will kill livelihoods and potentially undo years of peacebuilding.
Local peace advocates are urging the government to strike a delicate balance: regulate and formalize the sector without threatening the fragile coexistence that gold has fostered.”This is a chance to use natural resources to heal—not divide,” said one community elder. “We can’t afford to go back to the days of bloodshed.”
As tensions simmer, stakeholders agree that inclusive dialogue and responsible resource management will be key to ensuring that gold remains a symbol of hope—not conflict—for Turkana and West Pokot.
