In the sun-baked landscapes of Isiolo County, where arid lands stretch endlessly and communities have long grappled with the harsh realities of drought and conflict, Cabinet Secretary for East African Community (EAC), Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development Beatrice Askul delivered a powerful message of transformation.
Speaking at the closure of a four-day peace caravan along the Modogashe-Garbatulla road in Garbatulla, Askul implored pastoralist communities to abandon age-old practices of intercommunity clashes, border disputes, banditry, and cattle rustling.
She painted a stark picture: these persistent conflicts are not just threats to lives and livelihoods but formidable barriers to progress, condemning entire regions to underdevelopment while the rest of the nation surges ahead.
Askul’s address was laced with regret and urgency, highlighting how government resources—intended for building a brighter future—are being diverted to combat the very issues plaguing these nomadic counties.
“The money we are using in operations to disarm those with illegal guns, the vehicles we are procuring for the security agencies, and the fuel we are providing for them to stop cattle rustling in these regions is the same money that other regions are using for development,” she emphasized.
This redirection of funds, she explained, means that while other parts of Kenya invest in vital infrastructure like water projects, roads, hospitals, and schools, ASAL areas remain mired in security expenditures.
It’s a cycle of lost opportunities, where billions earmarked for sustainable growth evaporate in the pursuit of fleeting stability.
A Call for Unity Amidst Enduring Conflicts
Delving deeper into the root causes, Askul noted that these conflicts have endured for generations, fueled by competition over scarce resources such as water and pasture—tensions that intensify during drought seasons.
She urged a collective introspection: “It is high time we come together and see what it is that we want because we have had these conflicts for a very long time.”
Her vision for peace extends beyond mere cessation of violence; it’s about fostering deep-rooted connections that make hostility unthinkable.
In a bold and innovative suggestion, Askul advocated for encouraging inter-community marriages as a bridge to harmony.
“Maybe it is high time that we encourage inter-community marriage so that when you go to steal livestock, you steal the livestock for your in-laws. When you decide to kill people in attacks, you start fearing that you might kill your relatives,” she added, injecting a touch of pragmatism and humanity into the discourse.
This proposal underscores a profound shift in perspective—from viewing neighboring communities as adversaries to seeing them as extended family.
By intertwining bloodlines and destinies, Askul argued, pastoralists could dismantle the incentives for raids and reprisals, paving the way for shared prosperity.
Her words resonate in a region where cattle rustling isn’t just theft but a cultural rite intertwined with economic survival, yet one that perpetuates poverty and instability.
Peace as the Foundation of Resilience and Growth
At the heart of Askul’s message was the indispensable role of peace in confronting the unique challenges of ASALs.
She stressed that true peace is not simply the absence of strife but a dynamic force built on dialogue, cooperation, and shared responsibility.
“Peace is not the absence of conflict. It is the presence of dialogue, cooperation and shared responsibility. In our ASALs, peace is what allows development to take root and livelihoods to survive drought,” she articulated eloquently.
During periods of severe drought, when resources dwindle and desperation mounts, conflicts over grazing lands and water sources escalate, derailing humanitarian efforts and long-term development initiatives.
Askul called on all stakeholders—community leaders, elders, youth, and government entities—to unite in forging lasting solutions.
By prioritizing peacebuilding, she envisioned a future where drought response isn’t hampered by insecurity, allowing for effective distribution of aid, implementation of resilience programs, and investment in sustainable agriculture and infrastructure.
This holistic approach could transform ASAL counties from zones of perennial crisis into hubs of innovation and self-sufficiency, where pastoralism evolves alongside modern economic opportunities.
Echoes of a Broader National Imperative
Reiterating her earlier points for emphasis, Askul drove home the economic disparity: “The money we are using in operations to disarm those with illegal guns, the vehicles we are procuring for the security agencies, and the fuel we are providing to stop cattle rustling in these regions is the same money that other regions are using for development—to fund water projects and construct roads, hospitals, and schools.”
Her plea for inter-community solidarity, including through marriages, serves as a creative antidote to entrenched divisions, challenging communities to redefine their relationships and priorities.
As the peace caravan concluded, Askul’s words lingered as a rallying cry for change. In a nation striving for equitable growth, ending cattle rustling and embracing development isn’t just an option—it’s an imperative for pastoralists to claim their rightful place in Kenya’s progress.
By heeding this call, these resilient communities could turn the page on conflict, unlocking a era of peace-driven prosperity that benefits generations to come.
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