Why peace is Kenya's most lucrative asset

Kenya, a nation bursting with potential and vibrant diversity, stands at a crossroads, where the beauty of its rolling savannas meets the stark realities of insecurity.

The Kerio Valley, cradled by rugged escarpments and golden plains, holds untold promise in its fertile soils and resilient people yet struggles under the weight of tribal clashes and systemic neglect. Persistent insecurity in Kerio and Suguta valleys has long hampered economic growth and eroded social cohesion.

Banditry, cattle rustling and terrorism have normalised violence, leaving these areas trapped in cycles of poverty and stagnation. But what if we viewed these conflict zones as hubs of untapped prosperity? Peace might just be Kenya’s most lucrative investment yet.

President William Ruto recently underscored this potential with two unprecedented visits to Kerio Valley in quick succession. Breaking from past leaders’ perfunctory approaches, Ruto’s extended engagements saw him commissioning key projects like the Kerio Valley campus of the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC). He also promised permanent training camps for the military and police, reopening schools, and encouraging displaced residents to return home.

Among his affirmative actions was a pledge to reduce school fees; a lifeline for struggling communities. This level of commitment is a game-changer for a region often relegated to the fringes of national development. The Kerio and Suguta valleys which span West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, and parts of Laikipia have immense agricultural and tourism potential.

Yet insecurity discourages investment and disrupts supply chains. Schools often shut down as teachers refuse postings in volatile areas, leaving children without education and perpetuating poverty. High-profile massacres, like the 2014 Kapedo attack and the 2012 Baragoi ambush, exposed Kenya’s vulnerability.

Ruto’s focus on education, infrastructure, and security shifts the narrative. Peace isn’t just about stopping bullets; it’s about creating an environment where prosperity thrives. Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, a native of Elgeyo Marakwet, brings personal stakes to this mission. Having lost friends and relatives to violence, Murkomen has tackled conflict with a mix of security interventions and development initiatives. His Christmas visit to security camps was a powerful gesture.

Infrastructure is key. Roads and communication networks do more than connect places; they connect people. Better infrastructure means farmers can transport produce to markets, traders can access new opportunities, and communities can foster unity. The livestock industry, too, holds untapped potential. By developing abattoirs and modernising farming techniques, cattle can shift from a source of conflict to income generation. Combined with tourism and agriculture initiatives, these conflict zones could become economic powerhouses.

Peace is more than a moral virtue; it’s an economic asset. Addressing root causes of conflict and investing in education, infrastructure, and dialogue can unlock the full potential of marginalised regions.

-The writer is a risk manager and circular economist