Turkana County has been into the national spotlight for the wrong reasons in recent days. Banditry and cattle rustling have once again disrupted daily life, leaving families anxious and communities on edge. The latest incident in Lokwamosing where several cattle were stolen is a painful reminder of how fragile security remains for many Kenyans living in pastoral regions.
When the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior assured the people of Turkana that security would be restored, hope flickered across the county. Residents believed that calm would return that children would walk freely and livelihoods would be protected. Yet days later, cattle raids continue. The panic has not subsided. Instead, uncertainty hangs heavy in the air with families waking up each morning unsure of what the day will bring.
Cattle rustling is often spoken of casually almost as a cultural problem in some regions especially the North Rift. But there is nothing traditional about fear, loss or death. For pastoral communities livestock is food, school fees, dignity and survival. When cattle are stolen entire households are pushed closer to hunger and poverty. When raids turn violent, lives are lost and these communities tend to revenge.
What is most troubling is how little sustained attention this issue seems to receive from relevant authorities. Statements are made, visits are conducted and assurances are given but on the ground the reality tells a different story. Security operations appear reactive rather than preventive. Communities feel heard during crises only to be forgotten when headlines fade.
The mandate of the security apparatus is to protect lives and property and ensuring that citizens live without fear. This is a constitutional responsibility. Kenyans in Turkana and in other regions affected by cattle theft and banditry deserve the same level of safety as those living in major towns and cities.
This moment calls for consistent security presence, intelligence led operations, accountability within security agencies and meaningful engagement with local communities who understand the terrain and the threats better than anyone else. It also requires acknowledging that cattle rustling is a major crime and often turn deadly and deeply destabilizing such as the one that is interfering with education and daily activities in Lokwamosing in Turkana.
The people of Turkana are resilient but resilience should not be mistaken for acceptance. They are asking for what every Kenyan asks for that is peace, safety and the freedom to live and work without constant fear. Security apparatus must move beyond assurances and fully live up to its mandate. Security must be promised and be felt by every Kenyan in any part of the country regardless of geographical location.
