The government has declared a determination to end banditry. It has deployed security forces to Baringo, West Pokot, Samburu and Turkana in what is shaping up as deadly confrontation with criminals who have caused untold suffering to families. Individuals have been killed, learning disrupted and property destroyed by young men who have been brought up to believe that banditry is not only an economic activity but a badge of honour.

Retrogressive cultural beliefs, illiteracy, poverty and politics have been cited as the main causes of banditry. The practice is reinforced by heavy weaponry obtained from neighbouring countries that have been epicentres of conflict and terrorism.

Moreover, the effects of climate change have intensified fights over scarce water and pasture among pastoralists.

As part of the wide strategy, the government has declared that it will seek to disarm the bandits.

Therein lies the concern of the affected communities. There has been an accusation that the State has in the past been disarming a perceived ‘aggressor’ community but leaving weapons in their ‘enemy’ neighbours. This unevenness effectively renders one group vulnerable.

We encourage the government to ensure that all communities in the regions are disarmed.

We also remind authorities that the war cannot be won without the involvement of local grassroot and national leaders. This will give the communities prescribe home-grown solutions to the menace that has been a source of their misery.

Local participation will inform policy making at the national level in order to address the deep-rooted causes of banditry such as the effects of marginalisation and neglect by past governments. But claims that some politicians could be funding the crime should investigated and those responsible punished.

It is undeniable that bandit-prone areas remain largely under-developed. They lack schools, hospitals and roads.  Resources should be dedicated to improve food security by encouraging alternative methods of livelihood such as irrigation agriculture.This will wean the communities off retrogressive cultural practices to eke out a living, fight poverty and illiteracy. It is because of their circumstances that those involved see the fight against banditry as an existential threat.