Samburu West Member of Parliament Naisula Lesuuda has called on residents of Samburu to reject cattle rustling and banditry.
Cattle rustling, once deeply rooted in Samburu culture, has morphed into a more sinister form known as highway banditry. This illicit enterprise is marked by the use of modern weaponry, leading to fatalities and widespread destruction of property.
Cattle rustling
A report presented to the Senate by the National Security Committee chaired by William Cheptumo in February 2024, due to persistent insecurity and cattle rustling in Lorroki and Malaso Divisions of Samburu Central Sub County, revealed significant loss of lives and property, as well as disruption of economic activities.
According to the report, there were fifty-nine (59) fatalities, twenty-two (22) injuries, two thousand eight hundred and thirty-six (2,836) stolen cows, and three thousand six hundred and sixty-three (3,663) stolen goats.
Insecurity led to interruptions in learning, school closures, and displacement of people in Amaya and Nasur Sub-Locations.
Lesuuda believes it’s essential for the region to change the perception of being aggressors and troublemakers.
She reminded her constituents that no one benefits from cattle rustling, cautioning that involvement in banditry and cattle theft would bring curses upon them and advising them to pursue alternative livelihoods.
“This notion of attacking people in Isiolo and Meru, we reject it. In Samburu County, we do not want to be viewed as warmongers.
“I’ve told people that engaging in this activity brings curses upon themselves and their families. Show me one family that has benefited from stolen livestock. Let’s embrace manual work, and may God bless our endeavors,” she stated.
A fact-finding mission by the Kenya Human Rights Commission in February revealed that recurrent banditry attacks had disrupted normal life, creating an environment undermining locals’ enjoyment of basic human rights and freedoms.
Cattle rustling troubles
The closure of schools due to insecurity has severely impacted access to education. Schools like Amaiya Primary School, Lorroki Soit Pus ECD and Primary School, Ntima Nariko Primary School, and Nasur Primary School have remained closed as of February 16, 2024, exacerbating the situation.
The situation worsened with the killing of Paul Leshimpiro, the Member of County Assembly (MCA) of Angata Nanyekie Ward, around February 26, 2024, reportedly by suspected bandits in the Soit Pus area.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights noted that the late MCA had been advocating for government action to restore security in his area, making his death even more tragic. The Commission expressed condolences to his family.
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