Factors Impeding Government Security Agencies Responses in Combating Cattle Rustling in Baringo County-Kenya

Abstract

This study was necessitated by persistent Cattle rustling in Baringo County despite the security responses put in place by the government. Baringo County hosts a contingent of security personnel from the Kenya Police Reservists, General Service Unit, Administration Police Anti Stock Theft Unit and, more recently, Kenya Defense Forces. The study was guided by three objectives; to establish the impact of operational dynamics in impeding the government security agencies responses in combating cattle rustling in Baringo South Sub- County, Kenya; to examine the effect of local community dynamics in impeding the government security agencies responses in combating cattle rustling, and to examine the impact of cross-border militia incursions in impeding the government security agencies responses in combating cattle rustling in Baringo South Sub- County, Kenya. The qualitative data was analyzed thematically using NVIVO software and reported in a narrative form. The findings revealed that operational dynamics, local community dynamics and cross-border militia incursions were the major challenges faced in combating cattle rustling in the study area. Further, it was established that the success of the security operation largely depends on the cooperation and support of the local community but which was lacking according to this study. Additionally, networks of bandits were found to be so intricate and with established international and linkages, that made it difficult to sometimes recover the stolen cattle. The findings concluded that efforts by security agencies in combating cattle rustling in Baringo South Sub County have been futile as the challenge still persists more so among the Pokot. Major policy recommendations included deployment of modern state of the art virtual technology for aerial monitoring of cattle rustler’s movements and activities, given the challenges presented by Baringo’s inhibitive topography and poor transport network. This intervention may also save security officers from death traps in the lagas’ (dry valleys) which were perceived by this study to be security agencies’ killing ground. Aerial monitoring of cattle rustling may also enhance security operations and aptly police cattle rustling networks at all levels; local, national and international.