[allAfrica.com] Why Herders Won't Surrender Their Firearms Just Yet The Nation (Nairobi) NEWS 30 April 2008 Posted to the web 30 April 2008 By Paul Letiwa Nairobi A well-armed Samburu warrior watches as his herd of cattle grazes in Kirisia forest, 20km from Maralal Town. When I appear in front of him, he picks up his G3 rifle that had been leaning against a tree trunk and holds it lengthwise to his chest. I introduce myself and offer my hand in form of greeting. He stares at me with great suspicion, but shakes my hand. He moves his feet a little, stands up and adjusts his gun, holding it tightly. It takes many hours before the warrior finally accepts to be interviewed. He identifies himself as Wilson Lengilikwai. We sit on the same tree trunk that his gun had been leaning. Slowly, our conversation shift from nomadic life to cattle rustling, then to firearms. But when I ask him to talk about disarmament, Mr Lengilikwai, just like many other warriors of the north, is quite unconvinced about the whole process. "How can the Government ask us to surrender our guns when we know very well that there is no security for us? If we give out our firearms, say today, who will protect us when the neighbouring tribes strike? How about our stolen livestock? Who is going to return them to us?" Mr Lengilikwai talks with bitterness. Like hundreds of warriors from Samburu and Pokot communities, Mr Lengilikwai views his weapon as a source of security, livelihood and a status symbol. Cattle rustling The availability of modern firearms among the pastoralists has led to the cattle rustling, which is largely fuelled by the fight for water and pasture. Road banditry and indiscriminate killings, even within families, is also part of the story. According to Peter Katunoi, the divisional service officer based at Suguta Marmar centre, the illegal ownership of guns among the herding societies, especially the Samburus and the Pokots, has been strengthened by the Government's continued neglect. "It is true that thousands of guns are in the wrong hands. But what are the pastoralists to do when the Government has failed to provide adequate protection to them and their livestock from outside attacks? Young warriors in these communities are left with little alternative but to take it upon themselves to be the protectors of the herds and their families," says Mr Katunoi. The gun culture has become part and parcel of life among the pastoralists in the North Rift. Most firearms owned by herders are cheap, portable, high-tech, easily obtainable, durable, need minimal maintenance and require little training to use. This means that even the youngest herdsboy can assume the status of warriorhood and join the ever-growing militia groups in the north. The price of firearms has plummeted over the years. According to a Pokot source, most guns are obtained in Isiolo Town. The price of a rifle is now only five cows, down from 14 in 2003. And to acquire an AK- 47, one only needs two large bulls and a couple of smaller animals. A bullet goes for between Sh100 and Sh150. Owning a gun among the pastoralists is no longer a secret. Many warriors in Laikipia and Samburu districts use the weapon to herd their cattle. They argue that it is the only way to protect themselves from the "aggressive neighbouring tribes". And despite abject poverty in the areas they live in, pastoralists trade off their livestock for weapons. "I think the Government is to blame for its failure to implement serious disarming operations. Over the years, we have experienced partial disarmament, where some communities are disarmed and others are left armed. If it is disarmament, let it be done without favouritism" says Mr Samson Lekuye of Arsim village. The level of illiteracy has also contributed to constant conflict among the pastoralists in the North Rift. "It's very hard to convince uneducated person to stop cattle rustling. To them, it is like a hobby. They participate in the raid to achieve respect and dignity in their communities," explains Mr Joseph Lekolua, a local politician. Some analysts believe that the disparities in sources of livelihood, as well as cultural beliefs, are also among the causes of tribal clashes in the North Rift. Cattle rustling has also been attributed to poverty. The less privileged section of the community ekes a living out of charcoal burning, selling of firewood and sale of illicit brew. Some high school boys from poor families are said to take part in the raids and road banditry to pay school fees. The Government is planning to disarm pastoralists in a bid to reduce violent conflict and to restore peace. The two major hurdles that afflict Government disarmament programmes are limited budget and lack of organised cross-border disarmament programmes. The process is also attributed to serious human rights abuses where women and girls are gang-raped and innocent children and the elderly killed in such operations. ======================================================================================== Copyright © 2008 The Nation. All rights reserved. Distributed by AllAfrica Global Media (allAfrica.com). ======================================================================================== [images//media.fastclick.net/w/ get.media?sid=7943&m=1&tp=1&d=s&c=1&f=b&v=1.4]