Pastoralist communities in the Northern Kenya region that continues to reel from the effects of drought have been asked to come up with clear resource sharing protocols to avert conflicts over natural resources.
East Africa Community, ASAL and Regional Development CS Beatrice Moe said elders, community and elected leaders should sit down and come up with guidelines on how communities should share pastures and water with their neighbours.
“You must find ways of sharing resources in a peaceful way so that we avert killings. There is no need to fight over resources because no one chooses their neighbour,” she said during the World Wetlands Day national celebrations in Isiolo town, graced by Environment CS Deborah Barasa.
The dwindling resources, worsened by climate change has become a major trigger of violent clashes among neighbouring communities in the region.
The protocols will detail how, when and by whom resources such as pastures and watering points should be accessed, especially during the dry spell, when many of the communities are on move in search of water and grass to protect their livestock from dying.
The elders and security agencies are expected to play a key role in enforcement of the agreements to ensure fairness and mutual respect.
While asking communities to volunteer information to security agencies to aid in the arrest of criminals who have been unleashing terror while raiding villages to steal livestock, CS Moe said absence of formalized agreements often lead to clashes that disrupt livelihoods and displace families.
“Share information about the criminals from your respective communities, because you know them, with police so that action is taken and crime goes down,” she appealed.
The CS was responding to concerns raised by the local leadership over spate of insecurity in Isiolo in the last one month that has claimed several lives and left dozens of livestock stolen.
In the recent attack, a teen, 15, was shot dead and his uncle left serious nursing gunshot injuries after cattle rustlers ambushed them while herding goats within LMD area in Burat ward, spreading fear and panic among local residents.
Isiolo Governor Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo and his deputy James Lowasa lamented over the rising insecurity but assured local residents that President William Ruto had promised to address the concern, hinting at a looming security operation to weed out criminals.
Dr Lowasa had earlier at the event raised concern over an influx of illegal herders from neighbouring Laikipia, Samburu and Marsabit counties blamed for the insecurity that has spilled over to the outskirts of Isiolo town.
“Our neighbours should not forcefully come into our county without first seeking permission,” he said, assuring of the county government’s commitment to cushion local communities against the effects of the drought that continues to wreak havoc on pastoralism, the region’s main economic stay.
Governor Guyo said cattle rustling was no longer a cultural affair, where Morans raid and steal livestock to show their might, but an enterprise.
“I will not allow Isiolo to be turned into Ukraine. This county must go back to where Mohamed Kuti left it. I would rather not get a reelection for the sake of ensuring peace prevails in our cosmopolitan county,” he said.
Hinting at a possible security operation, Governor Guyo said the criminals behind the multiple attacks will be ruthlessly dealt with.
“I reached out to the President and later met Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen. The President has instructed that action be taken and the criminals be smoked out of their hideouts,” he said, imploring local communities to expose criminals to legal action.
At the same time, the county boss said his administration will work with local community-based organisations, youth and women groups in protection of the 30 wetlands spread across the county’s 10 wards.
