Lantano Nabaala…. “the Man of Peace”

Heard about Lantano Nabaala…. “the Man of Peace”? Mediators Beyond Borders  has.

Project Kenya 2012 Lantano & womenThe graceful Acacia trees belie the violence that unfolds under their branches. Kenya is an economic and political leader in the Horn of Africa, yet nearly 58% of its people, primarily pastoralists, live in desperate poverty, many without access to the schools, businesses, healthcare, and infrastructure that drive success in urban areas.  Among pastoralists – nomadic herding tribes living traditionally – raiding, rustling and revenge have long been embedded in their way of life. Changing political boundaries and the explosion of small arms from neighboring Somalia make pastoralist conflict devastating for communities and destabilizing for the region.

Standing out against this backdrop are individuals like Lantano Nabaala, a tribal chief and former cattle rustler hailed throughout the area as “the Man of Peace”. The Kenya Pastoralist Network Trust (KPN), led by Lantano, is committed to eradicating cattle rustling and inter-tribal conflict in all pastoralist communities of Kenya through a unique and effective “peace caravan” approach that maximizes participants in key areas of influence, and works to turn these participants into voices for peace.

Project Kenya 2012  Lantano & samburuKPN has requested assistance from Mediators Beyond Borders International (MBB) in developing its capacity to expand peacebuilding into all pastoralist areas.  Our short-term goal is to bring civic education and shift attitudes toward a commitment to peaceful elections in 5-6 key hotspots before the March 2013 elections, leaving in place grassroots multi-ethnic peace committees and networks as drivers for long-term peaceful relations that mitigate against the deadly election violence of the past.  You can help make this possible! Your donation will help MBB, KPN and Lantano Nabaala keep the peace caravans moving toward lasting peace in the pastoralist communities of Kenya.  PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DONATE .  Thank you