The government has revealed a new plan to solve the long and overdue challenge of cattle rustling and banditry in the entire North Rift region.
East African Community, The Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALS) and Regional Development Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza revealed that the government through her ministry will establish thousands of acres of land aimed at addressing the challenge.
While acknowledging that the challenge of banditry and cattle rustling in the region has been long overdue, the CS stated that it requires a long-lasting solution.
Speaking during a food distribution exercise for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Baringo North Sub County on March 26, 2024, Malonza noted that the government will initiate a 5000-acre feedlot to address perennial insecurity in Baringo.
She further revealed that her ministry is planning to involve local residents in the creation of feedlots in a 5,000-acre piece of land.
“We will be managing the livestock and safeguarding them, and the farmers will get a chance to sell them after about three years of their maturity and start it all over again, this way they will fetch high incomes and sustain their livelihoods,” said Malonza.
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A feedlot is an open space where animals are provided with water and pasture until maturity before slaughter.
She explained that the main source of conflicts among the warring communities in the region has been livestock and resources.
According to her, the plan by the government to have the feedlot farming system will disadvantage armed criminals.
Govt Moves to Curb Banditry
Her remarks come following the announcement by the government that it will be deploying specialized officers to supplement ongoing operations to flush out bandits in the region who have for a long period tormented residentS.
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“We are bringing in special forces to help us deal with the hardcore commanders of banditry. To ruthlessly pursue the livestock rustlers, we are deploying the same measures we’ve deployed to tackle terrorism,” CS Kindiki said.
At the same time, the CS announced government’s plan to set up peace schools in the troubled North Rift which will cater to children from different communities.
According to him, teaching the children in an environment free from the bad influence of negative things like banditry and livestock rustling will create a new generation that is not poisoned by negative things.
