In the recent past, incidents of cattle rustling and banditry have been on the rise in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs). This has led to unwarranted loss of lives, property (livestock), disruption of businesses, and closure of learning institutions.
North Rift and Upper Eastern regions have been the most affected by these vices, forcing politicians and communities from these regions to pressure the government to label cattle rustlers and bandits as terrorists and cattle rustling as terrorism.