Earlier this year, before COVID-19, two tribes from the Elgeyo Marakwet and the Pokot South counties gathered to commemorate their Annual Prayer for Peace. In this prayer, they seek God’s restoration and maintenance of peace among communities living along the administrative borders.

This special New Year Prayer for Peace was spearheaded by faith-based organizations led by Catholic Bishop Maurice Crowley. Bishop Crowley asked the communities to continue fostering peace and emphasized that peace should begin in individual households. He asked locals to safeguard the family unit and lead their children in the ways of God, to prevent them from engaging in lawlessness.

Paramount Chief John Mwok, Chairman for the Council of Elders, applauded both communities living along the border for their cooperation in limiting activities of the wrongdoers by reporting them to the relevant authority to face the rule of law. He challenged the crowd that the only way to live in harmony is to embrace peace through faith. He also asked the people to stay faithful in prayer and demonstrate the faith that results in unity, love, and cohesiveness for a peaceful society. Political leaders led by the senator of Elgeyo Marakwet thanked the communities for these initiatives and suggested that joint prayers be cascaded down to the Kerio Valley to foster and cement peace among the different tribes living there. Everyone was expressing thanks and praise to God and asking God to sustain the existing peace. They have moved from asking God to give them peace to asking God to enable them to sustain the existing peace!

When I reflect on the sweet words spoken during the events, I am reminded that whatever we do, we should never forget the sacrifices and measures that have brought about peace; each person should, therefore, look inward and ask, “what is it that I have done to promote peace on this earth that God gave us?” This reflection gives me a clear picture that children and women played an important role in peace-making because it is through their cries that you and I were informed about the conflict. When conflict occurs, it is not the end of the world; however, it is an opportunity to bring the world together to champion for peace and provide a platform for exploring the power of God within us to make the world a better place.

This is a great milestone that — on behalf of KOPADO, and the IM family all over the world — I take this opportunity to thank people like you who have been supporting peace globally through prayer and generous giving. It is through your efforts that we have come this far and, today, we ask for prayers to sustain this peace. We feel profound gratitude for your immense and unwavering support, and we value your strong collaborative partnership in prayer and financial gifts. Indeed, we are responsible for creating and sustaining peace; with faith and with God’s help, we pray to continue this peace-building work.

Boaz Keibarak