One of Albert Einstein’s most famous quotes 'Insanity is doing the same thing, and expecting different results', aptly captures the insecurity, cattle rustling and general lawlessness in sections of the former Rift Valley province.
That is why the new approach by the team at the Interior ministry led by CS Kithure Kindiki and PS Raymond Omollo needs to be given all the necessary support from all quarters.
After years of tough-talking, and security operations, which only led to short-term calm, Kindiki and Omollo seem set to tackle the issue through totally different means and systems.
Soon after taking over the reins in the docket, Kindiki gave Kenyans one promise—expect less talk and more action. Omollo took the same mantra.
From various pronouncements in the past three months, I can classify the approach into three broad areas: Technology, economic empowerment and intelligence-led operations.
Having noticed that the use of brute force has spectacularly failed to contain the menace, the ministry appears to have decided to use these new methods.
Since 2020, the General Service Unit has been using drones to monitor the movements of cattle rustlers.
However, the operations have been seriously underfunded.
Previous budget allocations in the ministry appeared to be focused on activities such as BBI and political campaigns, leaving very few resources for critical activities such as expanding drone coverage.
In addition, even as there is a diplomatic standoff between China and the United States over the shooting down of a Chinese balloon in US airspace, it looks like balloons are taking over the surveillance space.
In Nigeria, the military invested more than Sh10 billion in setting up balloons in the North, and that was the turning point in the insurgency led by Boko Haram. The number of attacks and kidnappings dropped by 90 per cent since the element of surprise was wiped off by technology.
More investment in technology will be the turning point, and with the new budget being aligned to fit into the strategies of the new government, results will soon be seen.
Infrastructure development is the second strategy that can be picked from various pronouncements. On November 5 last year, President Ruto promised that his government would ensure that the next budget has sufficient funds for the construction of military barracks in Turkana and other areas that face security challenges.
The President promised that more military training bases will be relocated to the regions. In addition, he promised to establish three major irrigation projects to help deal with food insecurity.
Just like the highway from Kitale to South Sudan helped reduce insecurity along the way, such mega infrastructure projects will go a long way in reducing the menace, mainly fuelled by poverty.
Finally, the key change in strategy that can be picked from the pronouncements by Kindiki and Omollo is that of intelligence-led operations. Previously, the focus has been on the foot soldiers involved in the cattle rustling menace. However, very little has been done to get the masterminds.
Cattle rustling is a multibillion-shilling enterprise that can only compare to the narcotic trade in terms of profit. An average cow goes for Sh60,000 in the open market. If one organises the theft of 1,000 cows, that is a clean Sh60 million.
The cattle rustling networks have branches all over Kenya to get stolen cattle to the markets and slaughterhouses. It is inconceivable that the poor and young men involved in the menace have the network and skills to pull off such a well-oiled multibillion-shilling operation.
Clearly, someone else is pulling the strings, and that is what the intelligence-led operations will reveal.
From all angles, one can clearly see a roadmap full of hope as the new team in charge security takes control.
Media consultant and CEO of Health TV Africa Limited. [email protected]
