- When communities have legal ownership of their land, they are more likely to invest in its development and protection.
- This includes implementing security measures such as fencing, surveillance and community patrols to deter cattle rustlers.
The wise King Solomon said there is nothing new under the sun. And so it is with ethnic conflicts in the vast North Rift region. Banditry has been in existence since time immemorial in the region.
The government has deployed heavy military apparatus to solve a problem that can only be ended with the socio-economic transformation of the people, cultural and attitudinal change, land demarcation and sub-division, range management and issuance of title deeds to the locals, as well as enlightenment on the appreciation of the sanctity of life and inalienable human rights.
History is a powerful lens through which certain future prognoses can be made. The contours and margins of harmony and peacebuilding are formed by the imagination, push, commitment and diligence of those living in the Kerio Valley. The locals themselves hold the key to permanent solutions to the problem of cattle rustling.
From past research by various agencies, land is an emotive issue that has led to feuds between communities and families. Historical land injustices and land disputes have fuelled political mobilisations and violent conflicts in Kenya since the early 20th century.
The North Rift plains are home to herders from Tugen, Pokot, Marakwet, Turkana and Samburu. Livestock keeping, by its very nature, demands cross-border contact and interactions in grazing areas. The search for pasture and grazing areas along the borders leads to conflicts among them.
The usual multi-sectoral approach towards ethnic violence by the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government meant to curb banditry, are just gimmicks and well-structured reactionary responses that perhaps are well-known by the bandits.
Land ownership and demarcation have not been explored as a form of de-escalating the conflicts.
I hold the view that the government's resolve to demarcate vast North Rift grazing areas will lead to peaceful coexistence.
Despite efforts by the security team to quell ethnic violence, cattle rustling and ethnic violence are still on the rise. Myriad questions have been posed and no plausible answer has been found.
The ever-mutating forms of violent conflicts in the Kerio Valley have become a thorn in the flesh of the current government. The upsurge of ethnic clashes has risen to levels unprecedented. Numerous lives have been lost, property destroyed and livelihoods desecrated.
Demarcation of land and issuing of title deeds to the locals may significantly help combat cattle rustling in areas where communities live freely in unrestricted areas by providing clear boundaries and legal ownership.
Demarcation of land involves physically marking the boundaries of parcels of land. This clarity helps define ownership, reducing disputes over grazing areas and water sources, which are often triggers for livestock stealing.
With clear boundaries, communities can better manage their resources and minimise conflicts.
Issuing title deeds provides legal recognition of land ownership. When communities have legal ownership of their land, they are more likely to invest in its development and protection. This includes implementing security measures such as fencing, surveillance and community patrols to deter cattle rustlers.
With titled land, there is accountability for any activities taking place on that land. This accountability extends to grazing practices, movement of livestock and identification of individuals accessing the land. It becomes easier to track and apprehend cattle rustlers who trespass or steal livestock from titled properties.
Land ownership empowers communities economically and socially. They can access credit, engage in legitimate business activities related to livestock, and participate more actively in local governance structures. This empowerment contributes to a more stable and resilient community less susceptible to criminal activities like cattle rustling.
Demarcation and issuance of title deeds often involve collaboration between government agencies, law enforcement and community leaders. This collaborative approach fosters communication, trust and joint efforts to address security challenges, including cattle rustling. It promotes community policing and intelligence sharing to prevent and respond to incidents effectively.
Communication practitioner and social commentator