Kuria keep cows close as circumcision fuels cattle theft

Every November and December of an even year is a significant period in the Kuria community. 

This is when the community holds its biannual circumcision, which marks the transition of initiates into adulthood.

But the season comes with an increase in cow theft, forcing many people to spend the nights in cowsheds or bring the animals indoors.

In Kuria culture, those circumcised two years ago give elders Sh3,000 to be initiated into an age set.

One also needs cows, which are paid as dowry for circumcised girls, who are considered ready for marriage after the cut.

Maria Robi, 34, said she is worried about her 20 cows.  

“From October, we have reported at least three stolen cows in the area. People from other areas have come to this village looking for stolen cows,” the mother of five said.

Robi lives in Maeta village, Kuria East constituency.

As she spoke, she collected cow dung from a kraal that is in the middle of her homestead in preparation for that night. 

Robi said some people have resorted to sleeping with their cattle inside their homes, while others sleep in the kraals, which are usually located in the middle of the compound and surrounded by several huts.

“Even with such measures, we still take turns to stand guard at night as with circumcision the demand for cattle for celebration has gone higher,” Robi said.

She said the members of the Kuria community, which is found in Migori, Narok and Tanzania, are all jittery. 

George Chacha, a peace activist, said cattle rustling and the proliferation of small arms have been on the rise, but the cases increase drastically around circumcision time.

“Even parents and adults in the family are taking turns travelling to markets or funerals, to beef up security,” he said.

Wambura Mtatiro, chairman of the Kuria East District Peace Committee chairman, and member Mwita Mogesi said they have increased intelligence gathering to stop the theft.

They said the Nyabasi and Bwirege clans, who start off the season, reported an average of 10 cases in October.

Some cases of cattle theft are resolved at the community level, the two said. 

A pact among the Kuria, Luo, Maasai and Kipsigis communities dictates that anyone within 600 feet radius of the last trail of lost cows will produce the cattle and the suspects. 

“We have recovered over 100 cattle and 16 illegal guns, including an M16 rifle recently,” Mtatiro said.

Despite concerted efforts, female genital mutilation is still practised among the Kuria.

Last week, government officials, media practitioners and activists from Kenya and Tanzania met in Tarime town, Tanzania, to put in place measures to curb FGM.

Daudi Matthew Ibrahim, Tanzania’s Regional Community Engagement superintendent of police in-charge of Tarime-Rorya special zone, said the police, elders and chiefs across the border have been sharing intelligence.

“Cases of cattle, illegal guns and girls crossing the border to fuel FGM will be dealt with jointly. We have been sharing intelligence jointly and have already put suspects on our radar,” he said.

Association for Termination of Female Genital Mutilation located in Masanga village, Tanzania, led by director Valerian Mgani said they aim to rescue as many girls as possible during the December holiday.

“Kuria clans and kinship [ties] cut across the border of the two countries. Criminals out to abuse these, especially through this peak season until January, will be controlled,” Mgani said.

Kuria West children's officer James Omondi said they have already put up tents and volunteers in all police posts and stations to shelter rescued girls.

“The Children’s department will work closely with all the stakeholders and especially police officers in both Kenya and Tanzania to make sure that they rescue and place the young girls in safe places so that they can avoid interference from the members of the public,” he said.

Edited by Josephine M. Mayuya