Where bullets are used to buy food

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The vast Turkana District. Bullets are on sale in open markets for as little as Sh40, and those without the money can trade in their grains or other commodities.

Coming in the wake of violent clashes between the Toposa and the Turkana that have claimed over 400 lives in four months, this puts into question the Government’s disarmament efforts over the years.

Moreover, Turkana is the epicentre of insecurity emanating from Uganda and Sudan’s porous borders, which in turn threatens to develop into a regional conflict.

The prices of bullets are reported to swing with the prices of guns, and whether rhythms of nature yield enough food to eat and barter.

The Standard’s investigative team bought a bullet recently, and minutes later exchanged it for a two-kilogramme tin of maize.

The compelling story dramatises the enormity of the challenge for law enforcement agencies, while the locals’ acceptance of the risky business as the norm calls for immediate restoration of the rule of law.

See full story in CCI magazine.