Community-Led Strategies for Cattle Rustling Prevention in West Pokot County, Kenya (2010-2022)
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Date
2024-11
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Kenyatta University
Abstract
Rustling of cattle has been a thorny and disruptive issue within the West Pokot County, Kenya, that has spilled over to safety and socio-economic progress of the community, as well as realignment of stable situations in the region too. Regardless of the presence of various interventions by state actors, the occurrence of cattle rustling cases only prove that further studies on locally based interventions and those grounded in communities should also be analyzed as appropriate measures to reduce the problem on a sustainable basis. The study aimed at determining community-led strategies for cattle rustling prevention in West Pokot County, Kenya (2010-2022). The Social Capital Theory and the Collective Efficacy Theory were used as the conceptual lenses that steered the study in comprehending the role of social relationships, collective action structures, and power dynamics in the perpetuation and reaction to cattle rustling. Convergent parallel mixed methods design was chosen which involved a combination of quantitative and qualitative data gathered simultaneously. The quantitative data were collected to 300 respondents who were chosen using stratified random sampling with qualitative data being collected using purposive interviews and focus group discussions with the community leaders, the elders, chiefs, and security actors. The quantitative data were observed based on descriptive and inferential statistics, and qualitative data were based on a thematic analysis to obtain the depth of the community in their perceptions, experiences, and stories. The research found out that community based early warning and elder’s councils are the two primary actors in cattle rustling in West Pokot County. The awareness of early warning measures was strong at 80.67%, with elders (36%) and community scouts (30%) as the primary providers of the warning, and mobile phones and SMS as the primary means of communication (45%). Early warnings were well accepted by the respondents to reduce cattle rusting (Mean 3.71) and that information sources are credible (Mean 3.73), but this is counteracted by shortages of resources (Mean 3.92). The councils of elders reported active with 53% intervention rates (often/very often 60%), high community acceptability (78%) and high enforcement (71% fully/partially). Community-led strategies were also impeded by major challenges, of which 82% mentioned lack of resources (34%), lack of coordination (24%), and gaps in infrastructure (18%). The result of inferential analysis showed that early warning system and elders councils were significantly predicting cattle rustling prevention (R2 = 0.465, Adjusted R2 = 0.461, F = 120.071, p <.001). Early warnings systems were the most impacted (β= 0.524, p < .001) then the councils of elders (β = 0.344, p < .001). Generally, the research finds out that the community-based systems are working, but the inconsistency is caused by structural constraints, which comprise the logistical gaps, poor coordination, and cultural restraints. The research recommends to improve intrusion detection systems, enhancing equipment and network connectivity, institutionalization of the councils of elders training and logistical support, and enhancing coordination between neighborhood and security services to enhance earlier response and reliance
Description
A Research Project Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Award of Master of Arts in Peace and Conflict Management in the School Of Law, Arts and Social Sciences of the Kenyatta University. November, 2024
Supervisor
Andrew Nyongesa Mung’ale