Transformation Of Cattle Rustling In West Pokot County, Kenya 1895-2000

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the transformation of cattle rustling in West Pokot County, Kenya in the period 1895-2000. The study aimed at identifying the main causes of cattle rustling in West Pokot County prior to 1895, establish the impact of cattle rustling on the people’s livelihoods in West Pokot County over time, discussing the weapons used in cattle rustling in West Pokot County, to establish means of ensuring people in West Pokot County did not keep arms and suggesting ways of managing cattle rustling in west Pokot County. In carrying out this study, attempts were made to test the following premises: There were many causes of cattle rustling in West Pokot County, Cattle rustling impacted on the livelihoods of people in West Pokot County, the type of weapons used in cattle rustling were changing over time, peace could be restored through awareness and conflict prevention. The study used both primary and secondary method of data collection. Primary methods included interviews and review of archival sources. Secondary data was collected from books, newspapers, reports, journals, magazines and research papers in order to get detailed information on the history of cattle rustling in West Pokot County. The theory used in this study was Cultural-Ecological Theory. Key findings included commercialization of conflict, joint raids, use of modern technology on raids, introduction of new actors to the conflict, seasons for cattle raids changed from time to time and displacement of population by cattle rustling. The study came up with recommendations on how to manage cattle rustling. They included establishing a fund to cushion pastoralists against harsh climatic conditions, mapping of entry and exit points of small arms and light weapons, initiating alternative sources of livelihoods, provision of security by the state and provision of universal education.