Creative Approaches Needed To Improve Security in Northern Kenya
A recent security operation in two north-rift districts of Kenya - Samburu East and West - by Kenya’s security forces to recover stolen livestock and mop-up the area for illegal firearms, raised tension in different quarters.
A recent security operation in two north-rift districts of Kenya -
Samburu East and West - by Kenya’s security forces to recover stolen
livestock and mop-up the area for illegal firearms, raised tension in
different quarters. In particular, the area residents and human rights
groups complained of human rights violations by security forces.
In its duty to protect life and property, the government mobilized a
combined force of the General Service Unit, the Administration Police
and the anti-stock theft unit (ASTU) to restore calm and order in the
districts following the escalation of cattle raids. Law enforcement
agencies were not spared either as the Samburu East Area District
Commissioner and Officer Commanding Police Division (OCPD), were
reportedly attacked while in hot pursuit of bandits in the area.
Even though the security forces heightened efforts to counter the
raiders, more than 30 deaths were reported with hundreds of people
injured. Thousands of livestock were also stolen and only a fraction may
have been recovered by the security forces. Many families fled from the
two districts, alleging harassment and brutal assault by the forces.
Over and above, women and children bore the brunt of vicious police
searches, and were forced to flee.
The security operations were condemned by human rights groups who
further criticized the forces’ modus operandi, terming it as
discriminatory and brutal. Indeed, this is not a new phenomenon in the
country, as previous security operations in the northern frontier
districts like Mandera, Pokot, and Turkana encountered similar
experiences when the state agencies flexed muscles to protect life and
property of affected communities.
Factors that perpetuate cattle rustling have gone through a complete
metamorphosis over time posing challenges to stakeholders and policy
makers. Infiltration of advanced firearms through the porous and poorly
manned Horn of Africa borders renders pastoral conflicts more intricate
and risky, with rising death tolls and casualties. The security forces
are forced to exercise excessive force as they counter raiders with
sophisticated firearms. Perhaps they find themselves caught between a
rock and a hard place, as on one hand they have to head the call of
duty, while they have to be cautious about human rights issues.
Efforts mounted by security forces to a large extent control attacks
by raiders and bandits but the initiatives are severed by lack of proper
livestock identification systems and poor infrastructure which makes
recovery of stolen animals very complicated. Coupled with poor livestock
marketing strategies, lack of alternative sources of livelihood for
pastoralist communities, and retrogressive cultural practices like hefty
bridal dowry and practice of cattle rustling as a hobby, continue to
impede on the ongoing initiatives, thus making future efforts of
eradicating cattle rustling rather bleak.
Politically and economically the Samburu Districts and the larger
Northern parts of the country informally referred to as the Northern
Frontier Districts have been rather neglected and marginalized by
different regimes in terms of support with development funds and
budgetary allocations on infrastructure. The situation in the northern
frontier is further complicated by lack of economic investments due to
insecurity and poor infrastructure.
While as government efforts to disarm individuals holding illegal
firearms and apprehend suspects may be applauded, excessive use of force
does not seem to have resolved the problem over the years.
Unfortunately, the approach often ends up in loss of life of not only
innocent communities but also the police and raiders. Further, efforts
to secure communities through the Kenya Police Reservists (KPR) have
also borne little fruit. Reservists are not trained nor are they
remunerated by the government. In the process, they are tempted to
engage in corrupt methods of raising income, thus compromising the very
reason they were recruited: the provision of security.
A poor Livestock identification system has led to an inept recovery
and compensation process to victims of cattle raids. The process is
marred with corruption and animals recovered either end up unidentified
or in the wrong hands. This is a simple indication and outcome of lack
of a proper identification system and recovery mechanism policy.
It is apparent that the need to be creative towards resolving
livestock theft, insecurity and disarmament requires a comprehensive
review by government machinery and supported by other stakeholders. A
few initiatives like use of aerial surveillance could be more effective
than tracking footprints. Increasing police patrols and beefing up
border points could help towards improving monitoring raiders. In the
long term, the country also needs to invest in a more elaborate method
of livestock identification system and adapt to new technological
measures.
Stakeholders and policy makers also need to change their approach and
strategies in conflict resolution. The current District Peace
Committees are marred with political interference and appear to be the
politician’s tool of seeking political mileage. Political will in
mitigating the conflicts and initiating peace and development prospects
are also crucial in a multi-faceted approach. Development partners
working in the area ought to assess the impact of their initiatives
among the communities, and perhaps tap in on their strengths.
Political will also needs to be demonstrated by ensuring that the
Protocol on the Prevention, Combating and Eradication of Cattle Rustling
in Eastern Africa has been ratified and domesticated to meet the local
needs. The Protocol maps out legislative measures, security operations
and identification systems, as well as public awareness activities,
which will support eradication of raids not only in Kenya but in Eastern
Africa’s boarder lands.
The government also needs to initiate institutional and cross
sectoral collaboration in view to support pastoralist zones.
Implementation of existing policies and development of new ones is
paramount to improving the livelihood of pastoralist communities.
Provision of long-term policies as opposed to quick-fix solutions needs
to be adopted.
Empowering the youth through deliberate budgetary allocation which
will initiate other strategies of establishing alternative means of
livelihood and reducing illiteracy levels will go a long way in
improving not only human security but quality of life and human rights
for a population that occupies more than half of the country’s arid and
semi-arid lands.
Alfred Muteru, intern – Pastoralist Security Programme (PSP), ISS Nairobi Office
