Historical and contemporary factors that fuel cattle rustling, banditry

A contingent of security personnel deployed in Pura on January 31, 2023 to pursue armed cattle rustlers who killed two herders and drove away with 30 cattle. [Michael Saitoti, Standard]

Once again, the North Rift region is in the news because of armed raids by 'bandits'. Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Samburu, and Marakwet areas of Elgeiyo Marakwet County are now under curfew. The rhetoric calls for disarmament as usual. Earlier this week, four police officers were killed on the Kitale-Lodwar highway by 'bandits'.

Several other killings have occurred in the region, including the infamous Kapedo massacre of 21 Administration Police officers in 2014. Additionally, 40 officers were killed in the Suguta Valley in November 2012. The region has been plagued by sporadic murders of citizens since then.