By Andrew Walyaula
The government of Kenya has abolished the use of guns in herding livestock.
President William Ruto Sunday issued the ban order as he instructed the livestock keepers to use sticks instead.
North Rift part of Kenya has for years witnessed insecurity, majorly occupied by livestock keepers communities.
Recently the cases of banditry have significantly increased, giving the Cabinet Secretary Interior Kithure Kindiki a hard test to contain the situation.
“No one will be allowed to walk around with a gun while herding. Let everyone use a stick, guns are for the police,” said Ruto.
Ruto who was speaking in Lamu said the government has set aside Sh20 billion to deal with insecurity and reiterated his push to have all unlicensed guns in the hands of citizens surrendered to the police.
The use of firearms by herders among pastoral communities has been a common practice especially because this is the only way herders can protect themselves and their animals when they come under attack from banditry or wild animals.
In many instances, however, these same guns have been used to terrorize others when stealing livestock among communities.
The government has embarked on the peace-making operation that saw the Kenya Defence Forces join the National Police Service in the operation.
NPS reports indicate that disarming process is yielding fruits as many guns have been recovered.
Many families have been displaced apart from losing their cattle.
Education has also been affected in the banditry-prone regions.
Additionally, businesses have suffered the blow as the government spent heavily in providing relief food.
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