Roots of Banditry in Laikipia

Insecurity in Laikipia has been a real issue since independence. Many people have lost their properties and others have lost lives through the perennial conflicts within this region. Banditry is an ancient ordeal but it has to be dealt with once and for all for the sake of humanity

Missing Cow in Rumuruti, Laikipia County 

Why do pastoral communities in Laikipia County always dwell in conflicts?

Who is behind all this?

Some of the predisposing factors:-

BEEF CARTELS:-

Beef is gold.The cost of 1 kg of beef is five times higher than 1 litre of petrol. There is high demand for beef due to population increase. The beef cartels will always wish to access the beef at throw away prices. They will always capitalize on the inter communal conflicts to get the beef through cattle rustling. The big question is who are these beef cartels? Where are they? Just ask yourself how cows are stolen in herds and you can never trace them, how?

GUN MERCHANTS:-

This is one very sensitive issue that is very hard to comprehend. Where do illiterate people get sophisticated guns to use when conducting raids? This is a lucrative business ran by some people who also take advantage of the antagonizing communities. They make profits when there are conflicts. They get supernormal profits. Another question pops up who are these gun merchants. Where are they?

POLITICAL CLASS:-

Some political elites do gain from inter communal conflicts since they are able to push their selfish and self centered agendas using conflicts. They propagate hatred by inciting the locals. They thrive through that. This should be condemned and those found to be responsible should face the law.

LAND GRABBERS:-

Land is a very rare resource.The pastoral regions have vase land utilized for nomadic life. We have greedy people who are salivating to access this valuable commodity. The only way to get it is through capitalizing on the inter communal conflicts. Once people fight they think they can manage to grab the land.

CLIMATE CHANGE:-

The nature is so unforgiving. The effects of global warming are always being felt everywhere. The natural resources are diminishing at a very high rate. The nomad life is becoming extinct. Water and pastures are becoming very scarce everyday. Their lifestyle can no longer accommodate large herds of cattle hence they are now being forced to encroach ranches. In so doing they do trespass from one county to the other searching for the pasture. This always lead to serious inter communal conflicts. The issue of tragedy of the commons should be addressed. Our lifestyle can no longer allow some practices that are some how outdated. Education is the only way to change our deep rooted cultures.

INVASIVE SPECIES:-

Optunia stricta, ipomoea, candle bush tree and lantana camara have encroached majority of the pastoral land. The pastoralists have nothing left to feed their livestock. This lead to conflicts over grazing land. The government should help in controlling these invasive species.

MARGINALIZATION & SKEWED ALLOCATION OF RESOURCES

Nepotic and tribal leadership will always favour their communities. This creates animosity between communities. This issue has to be addressed and ensure that there is equitable resource allocation. Equity not Equality.

What are your thoughts on this insecurity issue?




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