Cattle Rustling in Kenya’s Tiaty Sub-County

• Weldon Kiprotich Ngetich

  United Nations Department of Safety and Security Integrated Security Workforce

  Author

• Peterlinus Odote

  National Defence University - Kenya

  Author

Cattle rustling in Kenya’s Tiaty sub-county persists as a complex crisis fueled by historical marginalisation, climate-induced resource scarcity, and governance failures. This mixed methods sequential explanatory design study integrates 12 years of incident data (2010–2023), satellite-derived ecological metrics, and phenomenological interviews (n=72) to evaluate state interventions and community perspectives. Findings reveal that infrastructure development (schools, dams) and National Police Reservists (NPRs) reduced raids by 37% and 28%, respectively, while militarised disarmament increased civilian casualties by 19% and deepened distrust. The study introduces the Resource-Governance-Conflict (RGC) framework, demonstrating how drought-driven pasture loss (NDVI < 0.2), corruption (r = 0.61 with raid frequency), and colonial-era grievances intersect to sustain cycles of violence. Community narratives highlight the transformative potential of participatory strategies:78% endorsed dialogue, while microloan programs reduced youth raid participation by 30%. Conversely, 82% condemned state coercion, citing human rights abuses and exclusion from decision-making. Policy recommendations prioritise multi-scalar solutions: (1) a tech-enabled early warning system co-designed with pastoralists; (2) a $5 million Tiaty Youth Empowerment Fund targeting unemployment (62%); (3) cross-border tribunals to dismantle transnational syndicates trafficking 15% of stolen livestock. The RGC framework advances scholarly debates by bridging political ecology and institutional theory, offering a replicable model for pastoral conflicts globally. By centering community agency and ecological justice, this study provides actionable pathways to transform Tiaty from a conflict hotspot into a resilience paradigm, urging policymakers to replace militarisation with equity-driven, climate-smart peacebuilding.

1. Weldon Kiprotich Ngetich, United Nations Department of Safety and Security Integrated Security Workforce

   Weldon Kiprotich Ngetich works as Security & Risk Manager for the United Nations Department of Safety and Security's Integrated Security Workforce in Mogadishu, Somalia. He is a dynamic data analyst and trained security specialist with a diploma in security management and dual bachelor's degrees in science and business administration. Mr. Ngetich has extensive experience assessing complex security data, conducting risk assessments, and leading integrated protection initiatives in high-threat contexts. Before taking up his current job, he held critical positions in regional security operations in East Africa and has been instrumental in bridging field-level observations with organisational strategy.

2. Peterlinus Odote, National Defence University - Kenya

   Dr. Peterlinus Ouma Odote is a distinguished academic with extensive teaching and research experience and a strong commitment to community outreach. He currently serves as a senior lecturer at the National Defence University Kenya, where he focuses on international relations, diplomacy, conflict, peace, and security studies. He has published extensively in these areas. As Editor-in-Chief of the National Security: A Journal of the National Defence University Kenya, he plays a vital role in scholarly discussions surrounding national and international security issues. Additionally, he is the Head of Academic Programs at the Joint Command and Staff College, a vital component of the university. Dr. Odote holds a PhD in Diplomacy and International Studies from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s Degree in Peace Studies and International Relations from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, reflecting his dedication to advancing knowledge in the complex fields of diplomacy and security studies.

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