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Numerous measures have been put in place to end the age-long insecurity and cattle rustling in the country’s bandit-troubled North Rift region.

The conflicts and criminal activities that have hindered the achievement of sustainable development have been attributed to disputes over resources, political instigations and retrogressive.

To deal with the menace, the government resorted to heavy security deployment, including that of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) soldiers.

However, the measures have not been very effective, prompting the recent adoption of a multi-pronged approach to deal with the menace.

For a region that has not known peace for years, the situation calls for additional measures to improve security, boost economy and development, create jobs and build infrastructure.

The Ministry of Interior’s move to also focus on education as a long-term solution is laudable and likely to contribute to the stability of the region and create tolerance amongst

Through the creation of integrated and residential special schools for students from different communities like Pokot, Marakwet and Turkana, a sense of forgiveness can be created, historical divisions healed and joint interests nurtured.

The government should also build more boarding schools and other accessible educational institutions in these areas so that the students do not travel long distances, and also include training them at the National Youth Service (NYS) for re-socialization and re-education.

Such initiatives can ensure that the next generation will not look towards a retrogressive culture, but outward towards a growing global and technological world. Since rustling has been commercialized, state agencies should mobilise and disrupt the growing illicit trade in livestock.

A probe has also linked rogue politicians and leaders and decisive action must be taken by the National Police Service to ensure that those responsible are charged in court.

The challenges in the region have also been exacerbated by the widespread availability and proliferation of small arms.

Equally, the ongoing disarmament exercise, aimed at confiscating all illicit firearms held by unlicensed civilians in all areas in the six counties of North Rift, should be enhanced.

Such mop up will certainly disrupt the supply and trafficking, reduce illegal possession and to reduce misuse of the arms by such groups.