Nature of livestock theft among the Turkana and Pokot pastoral groups in northwest Kenya

Abstract

Livestock keeping is a fundamental economic and cultural practice among the Turkana and Pokot pastoralist groups in Northwest Kenya. However, livestock theft, a previously culturally embedded tradition, has evolved into a commercialized and violent venture with catastrophic socio-economic and security ramifications. The study examined the prevalence, root causes, and effects of livestock theft while exploring feasible conflict resolution mechanisms. The research was guided by the Frustration-Aggression Theory, which forecasts that socio-economic frustrations and resource competition trigger violent behavior like fighting and theft. This study adopted a descriptive  research design to provide information at a specific time to allow for in-depth understanding of patterns of livestock theft. The target population was pastoral households, community leaders, security officers, and government officials in Pokot and Turkana counties. A sample of 400 households was estimated using stratified random sampling to provide fair representation of the affected communities. Furthermore, 10 key informants (KIIs) and 6 focus group discussions (FGDs) were selected purposively to obtain qualitative data. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, focus group discussion guides, and key informant interview schedules. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (percentages, frequencies, means) and to explore associations between theft incidence and socio-economic variables. Qualitative data were analyzed thematically to reveal underlying social, economic, and cultural stories. Findings revealed that 78% of the households had suffered livestock theft, 60% of them having incurred frequent nightly incursions. Significant impacts were economic loss, food insecurity (85%), displacement (30%), and interrupted education (40%). Major causes of theft were economic reasons (70%), scarcity of resources (55%), poor law enforcement (50%), and cultural practices (60%). The study also quoted limited formal education (70%) and high dependence on cattle (85%) as exacerbating factors. Traditional conflict resolution mechanisms and government interventions were identified as very important in mitigating theft, yet their effectiveness was compromised by poor institutional structures. This study concluded that cattle rustling is now an organized and economically motivated crime that poses gigantic challenges to the socio-economic stability of the Turkana and Pokot communities. To address the issue, a comprehensive intervention strategy is required, such as enhanced security, education, revitalization of traditional peacebuilding mechanisms, and livelihood diversification. Decision-makers ought to invest in context-specific interventions that promote peace and resilience in the region, ultimately decreasing cattle theft and encouraging sustainable pastoralism.