The Bandit Economy: Assessing Cattle Rustling’s Role in Baringo County’s Security and Development, 1900-2020

Abstract

Cattle rustling among pastoral communities in the North Rift Region of Kenya has become endemic. This is particularly so in Baringo County. Cattle rustling and banditry activities have involved and affected mostly the communities living in the Baringo lowlands, the Pokot, the Tugen and the Il Chamus. However, cattle rustling amongst the three communities has become an economic enterprise culminating in insecurity, violence and loss of lives. Whereas in the past livestock were only stolen for replenishing and dowry payment, the phenomenon has transformed into a commercial enterprise. The purpose of this study was to examine the contribution of cattle rustling and banditry to insecurity and development among the pastoral communities of Baringo County in Kenya. This study was guided by the following specific objectives: to trace the historical origin of banditry and cattle rustling in Baringo County in Kenya; to examine the changing nature of cattle rustling and banditry in Baringo County from the 1970s; to assess the role of banditry and cattle rustling to the development of Baringo County and lastly to analyse the challenges and opportunities for sustainable peace in Baringo County. The study was informed by Human Needs Theory. This theory helped elaborate on why communities resort to violence to meet specific human needs. As per its main proponent, John Burton, unmet needs fuel conflicts. The study employed a descriptive research design with qualitative techniques incorporating in-depth and unstructured interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions. The study used both primary and secondary data. Primary data was collected through key informant interviews in Baringo North, Baringo South and Tiaty Sub-Counties and the county headquarters of Baringo County, Kabarnet. This study used focus group discussions and in-depth interviews for data collection, where 74 participants out of a target of 109 were interviewed. Purposive sampling method was employed to identify specific target groups that comprised Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, County Commissioner, Ward Administrators, Sub-County Administrators and NGO supervisors. Thereafter, snowball sampling method was ultimately employed to identify key informants amongst the elders and the youth who were knowledgeable about cattle rustling and banditry in the lowland to be members of the focus group discussion. Archival data was obtained from the Kenya National Archives and Documentation Centre in Nairobi and its Repository Centre in Nakuru. Data collected from the primary sources was corroborated with information from secondary sources comprising books, journal articles, newspapers, theses among others so as to ensure reliability, objectivity and validity in research findings. Data were analysed to extract themes that answered the research questions. The proposed study provided a counterpoint to literature that explained the historical origin of cattle rustling and transformation to banditry while elaborating on the main causes of the menace. The changing nature of the weapons, tactics and the onset of solo raids as opposed to community organized raids were also crically examined as well as the impact of cattle rustling and banditry on the development of the communities in the Baringo lowland. Commercialization of banditry and disarmament of communities in the lowland are issues that require further research as they will inform government policy. The findings of the study also will contribute to the historiography of predation and conflict resolution in Kenya.