Reformed warriors living along the Turkana-Pokot border have turned to preaching the gospel in the region to help reform other warriors who are still engaged in outdated practices like raids.
Fifteen reformed warriors from the region who got saved three years ago have engaged in spreading the word of God to other youths who are still deeply rooted in outdated practices.
Speaking at Ombolion, Songok senior assistant chief Joseph Korkimul said after the area had relative peace, he decided to ask few warriors to surrender their lives to God. “The peace we are currently enjoying couldn’t have been realized if the youths hadn’t surrendered their lives to God,” he said. He added that many of them have fully reformed and have become pastors and role models in the community.
He said that it was a tough journey but at last the fruits have been seen where peace has prevailed. “I decided to engage them through the Bible since it’s only the Word that can clearly open their minds and see its wrong to kill each other,” he said.
He said that he organized a get-together in his home and asked the warriors to come with their families, and there, many decided to surrender to the Lord. “Many who attended the party decided to change while few of them rejected the call, but after some time they were convinced and decided to completely abandon the vice,” he said.
Korkimul said immediately afterwards, he bought iron sheets and constructed a church in the region to help nurture the youths.
Korkimul who attends the church together with the reformed warriors said a proper explanation about the dangers of cattle rustling and the importance of working hard to get wealth has led to a reduction in the number of cattle rustlers.
Wilson Merikamar, a pastor and a former warrior said it was hard for him to abandon the culture till he got saved. He learnt that raiding the neighbouring Turkana community lead to turmoil, but in God, he was bound to be blessed.
“I have peace since I started preaching the word of God,” he said, “The youths who are part of the raids don’t know the word of God and the government should help us by setting up churches in this region so that many people can be saved.”
Police Commissioner in charge of the peace building initiative Robinson Ndiema said dialogue has enabled peace to prevail along the volatile border.
He adds that the goodwill from all political leaders has boosted and assisted the prevailing peace among the two communities.
Ndiema said that reformed warriors have changed their lives fully and have embraced building of the society positively as peace ambassadors.