Cattle Rustling and Economic Sustainability in El-Barta Ward in Samburu County, Kenya

Lokidongoi Ingolan Paul, Dr. Peter Mbaro & James Ibrahim Manyara
Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Kenya
Corresponding Author: lokidongoiingo@yahoo.com

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of cattle rustling on economic sustainability of Samburu Community a case study of El-barta Ward, Samburu County, Kenya. Mixed research design of descriptive-survey and explanatory research design was adopted in the study. The target population comprised of 427 households found in El-barta Ward and two security agencies (private rangers and government security agency) and one social and youth offices. The sample size was 203 respondents. A simple random and stratified sampling technique was used since members of El-barta Ward are sparcely populated. Data was collected using questionnaire and review of secondary sources which collected both qualitative and quantitative data. Data collected was keyed and analysed using the latest version of SPSS. From the analysis, it was established that the main economic activities in El-barta ward include pastoralism and trading. The causes of cattle rustling include illiteracy, unemployment, cultural beliefs, proliferation of firearms, and political influence. The effects of cattle rustling include underdevelopment, loss of manpower, increased deaths, closure of business and markets, destruction of infrastructure among others. The study recommends that there is need for empowerment programs to be put in place, development of infrastructure for the accessibility of markets and open up the area to new business, encouraging diversification of sources of income such as adoption of agri-business and small scale farming and the government to work together with the locals in order to boost security in the ward.