Warriors give up weapons

By Kevin Tunoi

In common parlance, it is said that the strength of a woman is at its apex when the brood she has brought up is successful. But in the Kainuk area of Turkana South, women’s strength stands out prominently in the form of Karenyang’ Hotel. The hotel, which was established in 2007, is run by former hardcore Turkana cattle raiders.

The former warriors pose outside their hotel. They say the hotel is a symbol that they have changed and are not going back to the bushes to kill and enrich themselves through cattle rustling. The profit from selling food goes to paying school fees for their children. Photo: Kevin Tunoi/Standard

The reformed men — 20 of them — surrendered their guns to the police after the women from the Adakar Women Peace Committee talked to them about the importance of peace in the community. They saw sense and let go their heavy metal loads.

"A woman knows a man’s soft spot, thus she knows how to woo you from doing what you love," says Joseph Ekirimet, one of the former raiders.

Ekirimet believes women have a way with words and that explains their transformation — neither he nor his peers understand how they got convinced to change from people with hardened hearts to men as peaceful as doves.

The elderly women talked to the warriors as their mothers would and as expected, the men heed the motherly advice and softened their stance on cattle rustling.

"Generally we regret our past, because we have claimed the lives of so many people and we have the scars to show for it, marks we have made on our bodies to show the number of people we killed," says Edia Long’ore.

Local people are frequent customers of Karenyang’ Hotel. Visitors passing through the area on their way to Lodwar or Lokichoggio also enjoy the hotel’s meals which include githeri, ugali, fresh vegetables and tea, among other foods.

Ill-gotten wealth

"This hotel is a symbol that we are changed and we are not going back to the bushes to kill and enrich ourselves with ill-gotten wealth," says Long’ore.

Raphael Lokol the North Rift co-ordinator of the National Council of Churches of Kenya says the warriors were first educated on the importance of peace among the warring communities and also entrepreneurial skills. The programme has been replicated in neighbouring Pokot and the response is encouraging.

"After they were trained, we gave them a grant of Sh40,000 to initiate a business to keep them busy and away from the thought of going for cattle rustling," Lokol says.

He says the reformed men thereafter identified a room they rented, bought furniture and food to start the hotel business.

On a good day the men make Sh1,500 profit, which they save with the intention of expanding their business.

They say the money has benefited them all, as already, they have started buying and selling livestock to other businessmen at a profit.

"We go to the interior parts of Turkana and Pokot, then buy cows at about Sh8,000 then sell for at least Sh11,000. We use the profit to pay school fees for our children," says Edia.

Before they go to buy livestock, the men seek the services of the Adakar women to conduct traditional rites that forestall raids. They slaughter a goat and the women ‘study’ the innards before giving them the green light to proceed with the business or postpone.

"It is called akiswom ngama liteny and they usually have accurate ‘readings’, which predict what will happen in the future," says Joseph Kibele.

With the success they have made so far, the men say they are also talking to their fellow herdsmen who are still engaging in cattle rustling and are making good progress.

"When the raiders come to our hotel, we talk about the disadvantages of the vice and some are willing to stop raiding and join us in the business. The prospects look good, really good," says Kibele, confidently.