Tension at Kenya-Uganda border over rustling

Tension is mounting on the Kenya-Uganda border following deployment of Ugandan security forces to contain cattle rustling and proliferation of small weapons.

The Ugandan government has deployed more than 5000 soldiers to Kanyerus area to crackdown on cattle rustlers and mop up illegal arms after Kenyan Pokot herdsmen crossed over to their country in search of water and pasture for their animals.

The herdsmen have been accused of stealing 70 cows and five donkeys in Uganda and the crackdown is aimed at containing armed conflict among pastoralists from the two countries.



West Pokot County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo said the government would open up an Administration Police camp at Katimor on the common border to contain incursion and cross border cattle raids.

The Uganda Government last month released some of the animals that had been confiscated from Kenyan Pokot herdsmen in the renewed cattle raids.

http://www.nation.co.ke/News/-/1056/1523908/-/xtc5qbz/-/index.html

This is actually a common occurrence. The same happens along the Kenya-Ethiopia border and Kenya-Sudan border. The best way to eradicate this menace is through a joint disarmament campaign by all the concerned countries.

At this point we have realized that bad old politics can use such occurrences for its expediency as we witnessed the merille from Ethiopia a while ago. A serious painstaking disarmament exercise by governments of both sides is urgently needed.

..Communities that practice pastoralism can engage in alternative activities like farming.

....The other way governments can ensure that affected communities are affected positively is to adopt technology...Technology can help minimize divisions and embitters within society that politics can exploit in two ways

a..by creating irrigation schemes enhancing food security
b..technology can create employments for local communities.

Kabaridi said:

At this point we have realized that bad old politics can use such occurrences for its expediency as we witnessed the merille from Ethiopia a while ago. A serious painstaking disarmament exercise by governments of both sides is urgently needed.

..Communities that practice pastoralism can engage in alternative activities like farming.

....The other way governments can ensure that affected communities are affected positively is to adopt technology...Technology can help minimize divisions and embitters within society that politics can exploit in two ways

a..by creating irrigation schemes enhancing food security
b..technology can create employments for local communities.

Click to expand...

Well said.