A two-year campaign to weed out banditry and cattle rustling activities in Northern Kenya is bearing fruits.
Dozens of community warriors better known as morans and whose main occupation in the past was to attack motorists on highways and conduct armed raids to steal cattle have now turned to genuine traders traversing various livestock markets in Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo and Laikipia counties.
Owing to cultural norms dictating that the community warriors spend most of their time in the bushes away from public eyes, convincing them to abandon traditional practices has been a slow and lengthy process undertaken by respected community elders.
Communities in the region have introduced alternative means of making a living, mostly through business ventures.
Salim Rachachore, Samburu East peace chair and former chief is among the elders who have been on the frontlines to advocate for harmony in the volatile Northern region by encouraging Morans to embrace alternative sources of livelihood, an initiative supported by a community based Organization-Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT).
“Morans are suspected to be used in criminal activities; I have tried to engage with them, encouraging them to shun cattle rustling and attacking motorists. Peace starts with the young people,” notes Rachachore.
Speaking during the IMPACT community accountability and feedback forum in Jua kali, Laikipia County, Rachachore adds that in the two-year campaign, they have seen some 62 morans’ age group leaders abandon their criminal activities and become peace ambassadors.
Rachachore reveals that they have supported morans with grants to enable them to kickstart their lives away from involvement in the outlawed activities.
“We offered them grants aimed at ensuring they embrace peace; each of the four groups was given Sh200,000. I monitor their progress and it’s bearing fruit through their commitment,” reveals the peace chair.
Additionally, he highlights that some of the morans, through their savings, have been able to restock their livestock without conducting raids, as it had been the norm in the past. The morans recounted their past criminal activities, which at times resulted in the loss of lives.
Pius Lekwles, a Moran from Samburu and one of the IMPACT grant beneficiaries, says that he has been able to support himself through goat-selling business.
“IMPACT came in at a time when we had rampant attacks on motorists on highways and cattle rustling. We informed them of our major challenge and they have addressed it. We are now peace ambassadors in our community,” notes Lekwles.
He points out that through the support and after quitting crime, they have not only learnt the art of trading in livestock but they have also developed a culture of saving their earnings in banks despite their limited formal education.
IMPACT Director of programmes John Ting’oi says that as an organization they have an initiative geared to supporting the livelihood of the community.
“Peace is software where we talk with the community to address causes of conflict, including involving the morans who are the key players on the issues of peace. We developed an alternative way of living rather than depending on livestock or cattle rustling,” notes Ting’oi.
He further reveals that about four moran groups have benefited with Sh800, 000 to start livestock marketing and, at the same time, use them as peace promoters to influence other youth to stop banditry.
By Muturi Mwangi
