Pokot-Samburu Conflict Analysis - 05-08-06

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The Pokot/Samburu Conflict: An Analysis

August, 2006

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Abbreviations:

ADP Area Development Programme ALRMP Arid Land Resource Management Committee CCF Children’s CJPC Catholic Justice and Peace Committee DMO Drought Management Officer DO District Officer FBO Faiths Based Organisation HIV/AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus/

Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome IDP Internally Displaced Persons KWS Kenya Wildlife Services MDG Millennium Development Goals MP Member of Parliament MSF Medicine San Frontiers NCPB National Cereals and Produce Board NGO Non-Governmental Organisation OCPD Officer Commanding Police Division SCC Samburu County Council SDPC Samburu District Peace Committee SNV Netherlands Development Organisation STD Sexually Transmitted Disease SWF TB Tuberculosis WFP World Food Programme

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Contents

Abbreviations: ........................................................................................................................... iii

Contents ................................................................................................................................... iv

Overview: ....................................................................................................................................v

Preamble ................................................................................................................................... vi

Historical Perspective ...................................................................................................................1

Findings – Current Situation .......................................................................................................3

Review of the Current Conflict ....................................................................................................4

Impacts of the Pokot/Samburu Conflicts: ....................................................................................8

Gender Issues in the Pokot/Samburu Conflict ........................................................................... 11

Interventions ............................................................................................................................. 13

Suggested Solutions ................................................................................................................... 14

Recommendations ..................................................................................................................... 16

Annex: Respondents .................................................................................................................. 17

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Overview:

lashes in pastoralist areas are not a new phenomenon. However, there is fear of the clashes escalating hence spreading into other districts, thereby causing further complications. In recent months, clashes have increased in

frequency, intensity and sophistication owing to the proliferation of small arms in districts within the Northern zones of Kenya. This combination has resulted in massive destruction, while also outstretching the stakeholders’ capacity to respond effectively. Thousands of people have so far been displaced by the clashes, sparking a spiral of revenge attacks that may last months if peace initiatives do not bear fruit.

In the absence of shelter and food at their camping points, pastoral women and children have become vulnerable to diseases and other hardships. With the frequent droughts that substantially deplete the livestock resource base, coupled with proliferation of small arms, the entire Northern zone of Kenya has been rendered extremely vulnerable.

The government has come heavily with force to contain the situation and reduce incidences of cattle raids and counter raids. In some instances the stolen animals have been recovered during military and police operations. The problem of armed raids has triggered forced disarmament by the government, an intervention which is seen to be causing more problems than providing lasting solutions.

C

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Preamble

his report presents an analysis and outcomes of a rapid assessment study by a team from SNV composed of Selline Korir, Beneah Odembo and Caroline Toroitich. Others on the team included Masinde Kusimba

(Journalist/Consultant), Diana Njogu (Intern), Leah Sapan (Transaltor/key informant) and Stephen Yano (Driver). The assessment was carried out in East Baringo and Samburu districts between June and July 2006. The assessment covered Chemolingot, Churo, Amaya (Baringo/Samburu border), Marigat and Kabarnet in Baringo district, Maralal and Losuk areas in Samburu district. The assessments were conducted through interviews, observations and focused group discussions with respondents.

The Pokot and Samburu pastoralist communities who have co-existed in peace for decades are now embroiled in a barrage of attacks and counter-attacks against each other. The current conflict between the two communities is believed to have erupted on March 30, 2006, following an incident of livestock theft involving members of the Pokot community at Poro village in Samburu district.

The conflict period has been characterized by attacks and counter-attacks with either community losing lives. Several people have been injured and daily livelihood chores disrupted. In addition, several families have been forced out of their homesteads in fear of reprisal.

The outbreak of hostilities between the two communities that have co-existed under a peace covenant for an estimated period of over 200 years, prompted SNV North Rift and Northern Kenya Portfolios to conduct the assessment, whose chief objectives are two-fold, one, to contribute towards an in-depth understanding of the Pokot/Samburu conflict with a view to seeking a lasting and sustainable solution, two, to provide a reference point for intervention and/or advocacy among peace-building stakeholders. Broadly, the assessment teams’ terms of reference involved: outlining the historical background and trends in the relationship between the

Pokot and Samburu; a participatory situational analysis of the conflicts in terms of grievances, actors,

dynamics, the root and proximate causes, triggers and factors sustaining the conflict;

determining the community’s perspectives on the conflicts; assessing the effects/impacts of the conflict and the interventions undertaken

to redress the situation; an analysis of stakeholders to determine the capacity within the communities to

handle/manage conflicts; short/long-term recommendations and suggestions for a way forward.

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The Covenant:

“… The Pokot have broken the covenant intentionally even in

the absence of land issue. Before the conflict we grazed

and went about our cores together until the time when

the Pokot tried to graze without the intension of going back to their

districts”

Cllr. Lalkalepi, Losuk Ward. 28/06/06 on phone

It is claimed that even when the covenant was still in

operation, the Pokot still killed between 3-4 Samburu every year during disputes over

grazing

Historical Perspective

he Pokot and Samburu communities have for decades co-existed peacefully with negligible cases of conflict being reported between them. Elders in the two communities vividly recall that for over 200 years, the solemn

agreement that none would attack or harm the other in any way had bound them. The covenant was made by slaughtering an animal and feasting on it and the communities swearing not to break it. It is said that the elders took an oath and pronounced a curse on whoever would attempt to break this covenant, either by mere theft, shedding of blood or any other inconceivable act that would be deemed to go against this oath. The Samburu and Pokot are pastoralist communities occupying the neighboring districts of Samburu and Baringo East respectively in the vast Rift Valley Province. While the Samburu practice some farming, the Pokot are mainly pastoralists. The Samburu belong to the larger Maa-speaking group while the Pokot are part of the larger Kalenjin group.

The friendship and bonding between the Pokot and Samburu became so intimate that they even joined hands in stealing animals from the Turkana living along the Northern frontier of Samburu district. Even in the recent past, the Pokot and Samburu have been known to graze their animals together especially in Amaya area along the Samburu/Baringo border. It is reported that in the mid 1990s the two communities had, from time to time, formed alliances to raid and fight a common enemy, the Turkana. This explains how the Samburu welcomed and allowed the Pokot to graze and settle in the now disputed Amaya valley, more than 10 years ago. Over time, the Pokot have since increased in number and settled down in the disputed land. It is believed that the Pokot moved to Samburu in search of pasture for their livestock but have since settled and farmed in Samburu district in Lorroki and Kirisia divisions. According to Kirisia divisional officer, the Samburu through the help of the Pokot were able to fight the Turkana out of Samburu district and have lived together in harmony. The Pokot have occupied the Suguta Valley in Samburu district. In this valley there is a lot of marginalization, there are no basic services such as schools, health facilities, no roads, the government presence is not felt at all. This coupled with the harsh climatic conditions have made it difficult to reach the people in the valley not only to provide

services but also security and in following up stolen livestock by the security

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The Amaya Valley and River

personnel. As a result of the long stay of the Pokot in Samburu district that the Pokot started to claim some identity and want administrative rights of their own, thereby heightening further the tension between the two communities. This scenario has since presented a great challenge as it portends danger. Evicting the Pokot who have been grazing on the land targeted for conservancy without proper arrangement to take care of their grazing needs and interest is in itself not a solution as it may only generate more hatred between the two communities.

Early 2006, however, cases of armed conflicts between the two communities started emerging and have intensified to a level that has left both communities bewildered shocking turn of events. It is believed that the gradual fall-out in the long-standing relationship between the two communities began disintegrating following a series of otherwise petty quarrels among herdsmen at local watering points. Like a tiny spark of fire engulfing a bush, what started as a simple fight over water by the herdsmen degenerated into a full scale war.

The rampant armed attacks are aimed at making the Pokot to vacate from the land meant for conservation. The County Council of Samburu has remained tight-lipped over the matter as one community unleashes terror on the other.

‘The Hidden Pain’: The conservancy issue is not just an issue in isolation. It is said that after

the Pokot supported the Samburu to subdue the Turkana who had invaded

them, the Samburu promised to pay the Pokot a token of appreciation in

form of cows. However, this did not happen prompting the Samburu

through an oral agreement to instead, welcome the Pokot to live in their

land, now at the centre of the raw

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Findings – Current Situation

State of shock and uncertainty. People are still internalizing and trying to adjust to the change of events in the relationship that has existed for such a long period. Everybody seem to wish that the situation as it is was just but a bad dream that they would wake up to, just to find it was a dream. Nobody has an idea when the situation will normalize again;

Stand off. Poor attendance in peace meetings. Meetings are characterized by accusations and counter accusations. Establishing the truth is difficult as each community stands in defense of their side;

Psychological Trauma. This is particularly affecting the Amani Primary School children. The school is highly guarded by the army, which has its camp on the same compound;

Emphasis on ethnic identity. Tribalism has increased in the area heightening suspicions between the two communities;

Sense of insecurity and Mistrust. Driving to Amaya, one could vividly sense the insecurity and mistrust among the people. Women and children, particularly, would dash into the bushes whenever they saw or heard a vehicle approaching;

Images of desperation. This was clear especially among residents of Amaya II centre (the centre stage of the conflict). On arrival at the market centre, the people came back and they probably hoped that we had brought them relief (in terms of food, medicine and blankets). Children and women were most desperate;

Political competition. Area MPs of Samburu and East Baringo defend their people and none wants to admit fault. They want to be on their peoples’ side in an effort, probably, to win their alliance. Opponents of incumbent MPs further aggravate the situation by making populist pronouncements just to gain the peoples’ favor;

Security forces. They have been over-reacting to incidents of raids by massively rounding up animals and victimizing the very victims of banditry. Such an incident occurred after ten Pokots were killed as they pursued their stolen animals into Samburu. The animals, belonging to the Pokot, were later recovered, driven back to Samburu and handed over to their “owners”.

A public baraza at

Churo market

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In May 2006, a young Pokot was shot and injured

as he quarreled with Samburu herdsmen over water. The victim was

rushed to Maralal hospital for treatment by his fellow Pokot herdsmen. The two

who rushed him to hospital were later killed on their way back. Days later, a

Pokot woman with a child on her back visited a friend

in Maralal town but returned alone home after armed thugs attacked her on the way and murdered her child. The Pokot again accused the Samburu for

this act.

Review of the Current Conflict

The Pokot Perspective

1. Unfolding Events

There have been reports of attacks on herdsmen while herding their cattle. Young men from both communities have occasionally attacked each other, several of them sustaining injuries or dying in the squabble;

There have also been cases of maiming during the attacks and this has often fueled aggression between the two communities;

Cattle raids were on the increase, Pokot would raid the Samburu and vise versa. These raids played a role in triggering the current conflict.

Young children and women have been attacked on their way to shops, or while carrying out domestic chores such as fetching water. Even people moving along the road walk while armed with arrows for fear of attacks by bandits;

Women were reportedly sexually assaulted (rape) as they carried out their daily activities in the field. This worsened the situation leading to eruption of conflicts;

The issuing of threatening letters by the Samburu asking the Pokot to leave Amaya land ostensibly to create room for conservancy has created an atmosphere for aggression;

The children are assaulted and made to confess that they will never live on the land again. Those who accept to leave are pardoned and told not to come back;

2. Underlying Causes

Land: Following the recent spate of unrest in the area, which has led to loss of lives, property and eventual displacement of families, the Amaya conservancy land, has strongly emerged as the salient issue of dispute and underlying cause of conflict amongst these communities. The grazing land which has for many years been shared by both the Pokot and Samburu has lately been earmarked for conservancy purposes and the Pokot are therefore expected to give way. The area covering about 60 Km2 has been known to remain green and full of pasture through-out the year, making it ideal for pasture and therefore accessible during droughts. It has thus been a common agreement between the Pokot and Samburu communities not to graze at Amaya during the rain season as it is mainly preserved for the dry season when all other places in the area are scotched bare.

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“In the past the Samburu community has benefited a lot out

of conservancy. Current record indicates that

Samburu County Council get to a tune

of 90m revenue collection per month

from conservancy. They cherish conservancy

and have all the reason to expand whenever

opportunity arises. The development is a noble idea but to the Pokots

it is a great disadvantage because

conservancy takes a big trench of land which means the Pokots will

lose grazing land”

Chairman-East Baringo District

Peace Committee

“Unless our stolen animals (about

16,000) are brought back, there will be no

peace” A whipping statement

by one of the area MPs, at Lonyet, May

2006

Gradually, grapevine reports have reached the Pokot indicating that they have to move away and give room for the establishment of tourism facilities. Its all being said everywhere that unless the Pokots move out of Amaya and give way for conservancy, they would not find peace. Anonymous letters have been issued to the

Pokot demanding them to leave. However, having not been formally consulted over the new developments, the Pokot have sworn to remain put at Amaya, their only source of pasture and water for their animals. The Pokot have not been sensitized regarding the conservancy and they simply don’t understand what this “new magic” is all about. They claim their Samburu counterparts are in agreement with the conservancy deal, owing to the benefits that will accrue out of this (it is believed that the Samburu have been prior knowledge of the conservancy plans), and have creating excuses to evict the Pokot. Lack of Consultations and Dialogue: The Pokot have not been consulted over the conservancy and out of this they feel their right to recognition has been trampled upon. Since nobody has bothered them, the community has sworn to stick to its guns; no giving way. Elders say the Amaya land is so vast and through dialogue they can agree to part with a section of it for conservancy while the rest remains for pasture. They apparently see the Amaya conservancy issue as the right idea brought in a wrong way, saying they are ready to discuss the alternatives and weigh the options. The Pokot leaders and elders have however remained wondering why the County Council of Samburu which plans to conserve the Amaya land has not initiated dialogue with them, since they feel they have a right to be consulted as they too are residents of Samburu district. This has prompted them to take legal action through a court injunction, halting the establishment of the conservancy. As things, the Amaya conservancy plan may not materialize without dialogue.

Political incitement: Politicians are perceived to fan ethnic hatred amongst the two communities. Whipping statements made by prominent politicians have apparently fueled attacks hence impeding the peace process. Furthermore, politicians have remained cold in the peace process and have been unable to strongly declare their stands. While the communities look to politicians to take the lead in resolving the conflict, they (politicians) on the other hand are waiting on the people to make independent decisions. This has caused a stalemate of some kind.

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Suspicion: It emerges that the

conservancy in question at Malaso was started to safeguard the land that

was seen to be targeted by the Pokot as their

heritage. There is a feeling that the Pokot have been asking too much from Samburu

district without realizing that they do not belong to

the district.

“Malaso already have a Samburu Sub-Chief. Why are the Pokot still asking

for a Chief from their own? Such are the kind of

attitude and thinking that the Samburu are

resisting and shall continue to defend”

Councilor, Losuk, Samburu District

2. Factors Sustaining the Conflict Lack of dialogue between the Pokot and Samburu communities on one side

and the Samburu County Council on the other hand has sustained the conflicts;

Lack of political goodwill between the government and stakeholders in trying to reconcile the communities;

Political leaders have tended to remain neutral. They trail behind instead of taking the lead in the quest for peace;

Inflammatory statements by politicians have tended to incite rather than quell the squabbles.

The Samburu Perspective

The current conflict Those interviewed conceded to the fact that stealing of livestock is practiced by either community and that this had often times created tension, leading to mistrust. Samburu respondents claimed that the Pokot steal healthy livestock, yet upon successful negotiations, they usually return weak animals that die soon after. They also claim that Pokot women also steal household items, kids and lambs, an accusation that is yet to be verified. The current violence is said to have started at Porro on the shoulder of the notorious Suguta Valley, following the killing of two people on a mission to recover stolen livestock. This led to other raids in the neighboring Laikipia district. The ensuing conflicts are said to have recurred more than fifty times, some perpetrated in broad daylight.

Causes of the current conflict: Cattle rustling- It is believed that herders who had lost most

of their livestock during prolonged droughts of March 2005 sort to restock their herds. When two Pokot herdsmen were killed during an endeavor to recover their stolen animals, it triggered a serious conflict.

Border dispute- The Pokot claim the Losuk area, saying the name means a ‘place for the Pokot’. The Samburu on the other hand say name merely came about as a meeting and trading place between the two communities. The Samburu refer to the Pokot as suk, which is in Samburu means Pokot, hense Losuk – a place of the Pokot.

Land tenure- Land tenure in Baringo is mostly trust land while in Samburu and Laikipia district, is through group

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“Wale wana ua wengine wanafikiria ni nani hana wanaume

wao?[Do those who kill others think we don’t

have our men?] A Lady Civic Leader at a rally in Lonyek, May

2006.

ranches. In Baringo, communal land is held in trust by the County Council, while in Samburu and Laikipia, the group ranches hold the deeds. With the title deeds the owners can decide on the kind of developments. Group ranches facilitate development of conservancies, which the Samburu are so keen to establish and develop.

Establishment of conservancies- Development of Tungai conservancy which will stretch from Lolmolok through Longewan to Amaya Locations on the border with Baringo district has been proposed. The Pokot have settled in the locations. The development is already underway and 12 rangers have been deployed. Construction of an airstrip is already in ongoing. The Samburu see the conservancy as an employer and source of income to the community. On the other hand it will lead to environmental conservation provide pasture for livestock during drought situations. The Pokot, however, see the establishment of the conservancy as a way of getting rid of them, and are thus suspicious of the Samburu’s intentions.

Lack of information- there is some form of gap in information especially on the Pokot side about the conservancy and its operations, coupled with the dispute over land ownership in the Samburu district.

Political incitement- Leaders are not playing their roles well. There is a lot of incitement from political leaders as well as religious leaders who have tended to remain partisan and therefore do not provide correct information on the conflict.

Government stand- apart from marginalization of the area in terms of service provision, government action has also tended fuel the conflict. Livestock recovery exercises have not been conducted fairly, according to some respondents.

Cultural background- Though the Pokot and Samburu have lived together for long, clear differences in their way of life manifest. Few children from Pokot attend schools. Only few Pokots engage in trade. There are no health facilities and so the Pokot rely on the Samburu for provision of basic services. On the other hand the Samburu are said to co-exist with wildlife while the Pokot do not. This has enabled the Samburu to tap from the tourism potential that is quickly developing. Apart from the rich culture and sceneries, the Pokot do not value wildlife and this has also contributed to misunderstandings on especially, establishment of a conservancy. The Pokot see it a source of pasture and arable land for farming, while the Samburu see it as a source of income from tourism.

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Impacts of the Pokot/Samburu Conflicts:

Increase in child mortality: this is mainly due to malnutrition, outbreak of contagious diseases such as TB because of the congestion in the households. Cases of pneumonia have been reported and in the absence of facilities has increased the number of deaths of children under five. Miscarriages and abortions owing to violent escalations have resulted in trauma among many women due to fear.

Food insecurity: the area where violence erupted is the agro-pastoral zone, where most of the food is grown. Owing to violent flare-ups, however, farms have been abandoned. Other farms have been destroyed by wildlife. Several granaries were touched leaving residents to rely on relief food indefinitely.

Family break-ups: Many families have separated, where husbands regarded in the communities as household heads left to provide defense for their respective communities. Some died in combat, leaving women and children to fend for themselves, consequently increasing their vulnerability.

Closure of health facilities: This has affected mostly women and children, more so those who were attending ante-natal clinics. Women have been forced to deliver at home, risking their lives the more. Children who have been exposed to diseases such as TB for lack of immunization. Poor health status at the camps has led to diseases such as malaria, dysentery, typhoid and pneumonia, affecting many children. Children and lactating mothers have had to survive on irregular supply of relief food. The provisions include maize, beans and porridge for the children. This kind of food does not provide the required nutritional status for the children and the lactating mothers. The elderly are also affected by sudden change in diet. Women risk their lives when they go fetching firewood and some times they are arrested by the owners when they cut trees on their farms. Medical services in Amaya area have been deteriorated, forcing residents to walk long distances in search medical care. With the hostility on the Samburu side, Pokots residing at the border have to walk down to Tangulbei, Chemolingot or Marigat to seek medical care.

Closure of schools: Families fled with their children causing them to stop attending school, especially the girls. This has put children in jeopardy, denying them the basic right to education and a future. Schools that were not affected, they have not been able to get the full facilities for learning since the allocation by the Ministry of education is based on the number of pupils at the beginning of the year. Longeyua, Lelmolok and Logorate secondary schools in Samburu district bordering Baringo have remained closed after students fled the clashes. Learning process has been disrupted in Amaya and Churo areas where Samburu children have reportedly run away from Churo high school in Baringo district. The situation is worse at Amani boarding primary school in Amaya where Samburu and Pokot children rarely mix. School children whose

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education is sponsored by charitable organizations such as World Vision have had to abandon learning owing to clashes. This makes it hard for the donors to trace them. The quality of education remains poor hence a declining performance in Samburu district. Displaced children have had to seek for places at the primary schools near their ‘new homes’ and this has resulted in overcrowding in some with already overstretched facilities.

Social and moral decay: The conflicts have contributed to increased prostitution and illegal brewing. Loss of means of livelihood has led some women to resort to prostitution, exposing them the threat and spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs. The state of hopelessness has led to moral decay as the communities’ vulnerable groups seek alternative means of survival.

Fear- there is a lot of fear especially among women and children, their daily chores such as fetching water and firewood has been hampered greatly, this has led to environmental degradation, trees near the refuge places have been felled to provide firewood.

Displacement: Over 2,500 families were displaced in the conflict. A visit to the Suguta Marmar Catholic Parish during the assessment revealed 95 displaced persons, among them 3 elderly men. The rest were women and children. Conditions at the Parish were deplorable and children seemed to have permanent coughs given that they sleep on bare cement floor at the Church hall. Women complained of back aches as result of poor sleeping conditions. The state of families sharing shelter has negative repercussions on the culture of a people and also on the children in future.

Loss of lives: many people have been killed in the clashes, the majority of those killed are the Pokots. The Pokot were killed during the attacks, the fact that the attacks happened during the day increased their risk of being killed by the government agents and the Samburu warriors.

Loss of livestock: Both communities have lost their livestock in the raids. The families that were able to salvage their livestock have been able to move out of the camps leaving the most vulnerable families behind. Faces of despair are registered at Amaya as residents recount the herds of animals they once owned which they lost to raiders. Increases in animal diseases have also been occasioned by closure of shops, hampering availability of livestock drugs and acaricides.

Loss of livelihood-: Farms and other economic activities have been abandoned. Longeyuan, Amaya, Malaso, Losuk, Lonyek and Lolmololo market centers that are normally shared by the Samburu and Pokot have been closed. No trade currently takes place between the two communities. The Pokots are the worst affected here due to lack of market for their animals. Besides pastoralism, most residents of Amaya are engaged in farming activities owing to enabling climatic

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conditions. In Loroki village in Samburu district, people had just planted their crops when clashes erupted and had to abandon their crops. Tourism and other trading activities have greatly been hampered by attendant insecurity. The Loruk-Churo-Amaya highway has become a dangerous route. The most affected spots include Lake Bogoria and Lake Baringo tourist resorts.

Hunger: Displacements caused by clashes along the Samburu/Baringo East borders have engineered hunger and increased the number of people requiring food and medical care urgently. Most residents have virtually lost all their forms of livelihood. This necessitates an urgent intervention from the government and other stakeholders.

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Gender Issues in the Pokot/Samburu Conflict

Essential Health services: or women and the general population the right to good health is essential for their psychological, reproductive, and nutritional well-being. This has been impacted negatively by the current conflict. The whole community and its

resources have been affected. Health, education and essential other essential facilities and services have been disrupted rendering the communities helpless. Emergency responses have not been able to cater for all victims. The current child status is very poor among both boys and girls in the camps because of the kind of food provided and the general living conditions which are deplorable given the period of the year in which the district is experiencing rainfall and cold weather. In the camps, there are no provisions for shelter for men and women and as such they all share the common amenities without distinction. Cultural inhibitions has caused trauma especially among men and the women concerned. On the other hand there are no provisions for maternal health facilities or other essential programs such as STD/HIV information and preventive messages. Water and Sanitation: Subsequent displacements have forced communities to move from safe water points and sources. Among the Samburu and the Pokot, it is usually women and girls who fetch water. In the face of conflict, however, access to the water sources has been hampered as everyone strives to survive. Shelter and livelihood Need: There are distinct gender roles among the Pokot and Samburu with regards to livelihoods. Displacements and destruction of property has caused women to assume household roles and economic responsibilities, formerly undertaken by men. Conflicts tend to burden the women with extra roles and workload. Within communities there are safety nets such as merry go rounds and other menial jobs which serve as sources of social and economic security for women. In conflicts, these structures disintegrate. The absence of community based organizations, such as women groups which usually facilitate emotional and psychological healing are largely inaccessible in a conflict situation. Given the circumstances, women were not consulted in the distribution of supplies such as blankets, clothing, heating and cooking materials. Those interviewed, confirmed that they could not move out because they were never given tents and they are the most vulnerable because they did not have close relatives whom they could seek alternative shelter from. Education: Education has greatly been affected by the conflict situation. Many children have dropped out of school though some of them have been able to get places in other schools the necessary learning materials have not been catered for. This scenario has affected girls and children of minorities, and the disabled. Accessing uniform and other learning materials is a problem especially among girls. The Pokot and

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Samburu communities still prefer to educate boys rather than girls. On the other hand, many boys have left school to join the warriors in defending the community, all this is going against the rights of the child and also will pose a challenge in the attainment of the MDGs in education and gender equality. Violence: Conflicts have permeated violence against women. Rape and other brutal violations against women and girls, domestic violence and other forms of sexual harassment have consistently put girls and women in fear, shattering their personal pride and integrity. The shift in gender roles also exacerbate women’s vulnerability to sexual exploitation. As a consequence, this kind of harassment may force women into forming alliances with soldiers and other men in power as a means of safety and escape. This also increases the risk and exposure to HIV/AIDS, STDs, pregnancies, abuse and eventual death. Rape as a personal and social attack, results in loss of self worth and esteem and eventual marginalization from the community. The loss of husband and children also causes a loss of identity in situations like for these. A woman’s status is defined solely from a mother and wives point of view, hence their vulnerability to abuse and violence. There is also a likelihood that many women and girls have been forced into prostitution and early marriages under conflict situations. There is also a tendency for women to indulge in illegal brewing of illicit drinks to make ends meet, which exacerbates prostitution, drunkard ness and other bad behavior.

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Interventions

During and after the conflict, several interventions have been used by various organizations in trying to contain a bad situation, while making every effort to restore normalcy. These interventions are only short-term and by no means sustainable and are therefore least tenable. Some of the interventions underway are enumerated. A series of peace meetings organized by the government and the district peace

committee have been held although the communities have boycotted some. A high level meeting was held at Lonyek trading centre in Ol Moran division of Laikipia, on the common border of Laikipia, Samburu and Baringo. It was organized by the Speaker of the National Assembly Hon. Francis ole Kaparo and attended by 13 Ministers and Members of Parliament from pastoralist communities among other local leaders in government and religious cycles.

Establishment of police posts along the border of Samburu and Baringo and the arming of home guards on the Samburu side;

Relief organizations such as Red Cross, CCF, Medicines San Frontiers, Catholic Church provided help in form of relief food, drugs, equipment for health facilities, shelter, moral and spiritual support through prayers.

The government provided food not only to the affected but to the general public in the district.

The Moi Africa Institute have been actively involved in offering services, food, clothes, tents, etc to the displaced people.

Strengths: 1. Gradual change being noticed among residents following a series of peace meetings;

2. Have been able to bring together warring parties for peace negotiations;

3. Employment of peace monitors to assess and report about the situation on the ground;

4. Several children able to access education courtesy of NGOs especially World Vision;

5. Have been able to bring leaders (MPs, Chiefs and Councilors) for dialogue;

6. Assessing the peace situation and prescribing way forward to other stakeholders.

Weaknesses: Resolutions imposed on the people who rarely participate in peace negotiations;

Use of Swahili language in peace meetings while most attendants do not have the mastery of the language;

Food supplies not enough;

Provincial Administration and security forces taking sides with the communities at the expense of good administration;

Continued cattle raid in the face of security units;

Their security intervention are identified with harassment rather than security.

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Suggested Solutions

From the interviews, the following were the recommendations to end the conflict; From the government side, the solution is both long term and short term, in

the long term the government can invest in developing the area through opening up the area and providing the basic services to the communities living especially in the valley, this will make it easy to follow up the culprits and also in bringing the government closer to the people;

Some respondents recommended that there should be dialogue between the

two communities to restore the trust that was there before; Another recommendations is a joint meeting which is organized by a third

party (mediator), in this meeting representatives of the warring communities, ministry of lands representatives, conservancies and other stakeholders also need to be invited, this meeting will serve as forum of sharing information especially on the issue of conservancy and land ownership. At the same time it will iron out the mistrust between the communities;

With the current hunger situation in East Baringo, the government in

conjunction with the world food programme (WFP) should supply 100% relief so that the added desperate population of conflict can be catered for. With the situation looking so grave, it is unfortunate that no even 50% of the residents get relief food;

Urgent food and medical intervention however needs to be accorded to the

victims of clashes currently camping at Amaya and Churo market centers.in East Baringo. Suguta, Losuk, Lokunono, Lorot, Longeyuan and Morijo in Samburu shoud be assesd and victims should be supported to reduce congestion and vulnerability;

The Nginyang’ National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) should not be

converted into a police post as the case is currently. Ways and means of transporting maize closer to the people should be looked into in order to reduce the burden of selling so many goats to travel distant to purchase maize;

Well wishers, government and Non Governmental Organization (NGO) should

move with speed and provide temporary decent shelter and blankets to the displaced people at Amaya;

The government should however ensure that these people are quickly resettled

and their security guaranteed so that normal life continues;

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The plans to conserve the Amaya land, which is the main factor triggering clashes, should be shelved and the involved parties to be brought for dialogue. Leaders, elders and residents of both Samburu and Baringo should agree on this matter before conservancy continues. Every other person likely to be affected by the conservancy – positively or negatively – must be consulted;

Politicians should stop making inflammatory statements that fuel tribal

animosity. Besides all, politicians should give the peace process the much desired political goodwill. As long as people talk peace with no political goodwill, the whole process is just but in vain. Political leaders should stop taking neutral stands when it comes to matters of conflict;

The government should establish numerous police stations in the affected areas

to curb insecurity. Mechanisms should be put in place to prevent cattle raids besides the usual system of forces waiting for raiders to strike before they pursue them;

Recovery of stolen animals should be done on time to avoid residents ganging

up to pursue their stolen animals. This would help curb unfortunate incidents like the Lolmolok bombing where Pokots were attacked by government soldiers as they (Pokot) were driving their stolen animals back home;

The branding of animals should continue in the area to help with easy

identification whenever a raid occurs.

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Recommendations

Consensus building efforts Capacity building initiatives to be enhanced Strengthen the role of women as monitors and interveners; Inclusion of other stake holders such as the County Councils of Baringo and

Samburu, KNUT, Trade Unions, Line Ministries such as Livestock, Lands; Establish early response system; Initiate developmental activities in the function of conflict prevention ;

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Annex: Respondents 1. Julius Taigong’,

(ALRMP, Chemolingot) 2. Jackson Limaris,

(Secretary, BEDPC) 3. Henry Losikiriatum,

(DPC, Tangulbei) 4. Elisha Kasai,

(Chief, Akoret, Baringo East) 5. Daniel Lotita – Pokot Elder, Amaya 6. Naitale Esikomoi – Pokot Elder,

Amaya 7. Lomusikuang Tamakarun – 35year

old Pokot herdsman, Victim of clashes at Amaya

8. Grace Roba - Victim of clashes at Amaya

9. Eunice Losute – World Vision Marigat ADP (Field Coordinator, Relief Supply)

10. Eric Tuitoek – Official, Baringo County Council

11. Elijah Chebwon – Resident, Baringo District

12. Richard Sambalet – Pastor, Full Gospel Church, Churo

13. Saul Shanrot – Senior Chief, Ripgo 14. Solomon Cherindis – Councillor,

Churo ward 15. Julius Loremoi – Assistant Chief,

Churo Sub-location 16. Julia Loching’amoi – Nominated

Councilor, Baringo County Council 17. Paul Loremoi – 40 year old victim of

clashes, Amaya 18. Napaguar – A female clash victim,

Amaya 19. John Kisang – World Vision, Maralal 20. Samburu District Peace Committee 21. Government Officials in Maralal 22. District Officer, Kirisia Division 23. Drought Management Officer,

ALRMP 24. Officer Commanding Police Divison

(OCPD), Samburu 25. Catholic Justice and Peace (CJPC),

Coordinator, Diocese of Maralal, Catechist, Catholic Church, Amaya Parish, Displaced People at Suguta Marmar Parish

26. Councilor, Samburu County Council

Pokot-Samburu Conflict Analysis - 05-08-06

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Transcript of Pokot-Samburu Conflict Analysis - 05-08-06