Establishment of Group Ranches in Baringo to Stamp Out Cattle Rustling

Managing pasture through group ranches is a key solution to addressing cattle rustling and banditry menace which has breached peace in parts of Baringo County, County Commissioner Peter Okwanyo has said.

Mr Okwanyo said establishment of the group ranches will go a long way in minimizing the persistent conflicts among warring communities in the county occasioned by shrinking water and pasture resources.

“Adopting modern ways of developing pasture and managing it will tackle the recurrent disputes among the three warring Pokot, Tugen and Ilchamus communities in Baringo and its neighbouring counties, “he reiterated.

Okwanyo noted that it was easier to control people within the ranches once pasture is managed as security personnel will be assigned duties to man each of the ranches.

Addressing MCAs during a peace meeting at Kenya School of Government organized by Baringo Anti- Cattle Rustling Programme the commissioner observed that clashes arise when herds’ men trespass to other areas due to inadequate pasture in their regions thus encouraging theft of cattle.

The Anti-Cattle Rustling Programme Dr James Kandagor said that his organization plans to resettle people displaced by banditry activities in counties of Baringo, Turkana, Pokot, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu and West Pokot with help from National Land Commission which will establish boundaries and conduct land survey.

Dr Kandagor urged the 30 members of county assembly drawn from the six local sub counties to support the ambitious initiative of coming up with group ranches in order to reduce disagreements and fights as sections of the ranches will be planted with adequate grass.


"It is no longer cattle issue alone but more of space", Rebecca Maritim Secretary County Land Management Board reiterated.

Ms Maritim called on livestock herders in the county to reduce the number of animals they keep minimizing conflicts over scarce resources like pasture and watering points adding that the large cattle in most cases do not meet market health standards due to poor management.

“I have been in Baringo for a year but I have never been to Loruk simply because whenever I plan to go to the region we receive messages from county and national level that the place is unsafe”, Maritim said.

Maritim also challenged the MCAs to support peace building initiatives mooted by office of the county commissioner and Anti Cattle Rustling Programme for lasting peace and stability to be realized in the county.