One of Albert Einstein’s most famous quotes, “Insanity is doing the same thing, and expecting different results,” 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.
Having noticed that use of brute force, has spectacularly failed to contain the menace, the Ministry appears to have decided to use these new methods
After years of tough talking, and security operations, that only lead 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". PS Omollo said the same.
From various pronouncements in the past three months, I can classify the approach in 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 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 little resources for critical activities like expanding the drone coverage.
In addition, even as there is a diplomatic stand-off between China and US over the shooting down a Chinese balloon in United States 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 the turning point, and with the new budget being aligned to fit into the strategies of the new government, results will soon be seen.
Economic empowerment through infrastructure
Development is the second strategy that can be picked from various pronouncements.
On November 5, last year, President William Ruto promised that his government will ensure the next budget would have sufficient funds for the construction of military barracks in Turkana and other areas that face insecurity challenges.
The President also promised that more military training bases will be relocated to the regions. In addition, he promised to establish three major irrigation projects to help in dealing with food insecurity.
Just like the highway from Kitale to South Sudan highway helped reduce insecurity along the way, such mega infrastructure projects will go a long way in reducing the menace, mainly fueled 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 multi-billion 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 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 multi-billion 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 take control.
Gordon Opiyo is a media consultant and CEO of Health TV Africa Limited
Email [email protected]
(Edited V.Graham)
