Effects of Cattle Raiding on Communities Surrounding Pokot Community

Abstract

The study sought to investigate the extent to which cattle raiding has affected other communities surrounding Pokot community. Cattle raiding has been practiced both locally and internationally and has brought various effects to communities. The study used a descriptive survey design, with questionnaires administered to pastors, teachers, church elders, church women and church youth. The findings established that cattle raiding resulted in death and loss of property, poverty, displacement of persons, educational effects, religious effects and social effects. The study found that bandits kill to own property and that retaliatory attacks result in loss of lives. People lose properties due to the vice, leaving them poor, while people in affected areas flee for their lives, some moving with their properties and never returning. Cattle raiding also affects education as teachers from other communities run for their lives and seek employment elsewhere, while schools are sometimes closed due to insecurity. The vice creates religious challenges and affects socialization by creating enmity among communities. The study therefore concludes that cattle raiding brings challenges to people, including insecurity, poverty due to stolen cattle, fear of attack while in ministry or school, disruption of learning and understaffing in schools.