Cattle Rustling and Security Situation in Marsabit Central Sub County

The study was to establish why there is persisted cattle rustling in Marsabit Central Sub County, what is the effect of cattle rustling on the security situation in Marsabit Central Sub- County and what are the nexus between policy practices and security as lasting solutions to cattle rustling in Marsabit Central Sub County. The study used Social Contract Theory and targeted the county government departments and county national government agencies, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, residents (community members), and politicians. These included the County Government Staff, politicians, local residents, National security personnel, community leaders and County Administration staff. The others included Community-based peace activists, NGOs that operate in Marsabit sub-county and religious leaders were also interviewed. Purposive sampling was used to select the respondents and key informants deemed to be knowledgeable on the subject of study. Then snowball sampling was adopted on the initial respondents to get subsequent respondents. Additionally, the study used quota sampling was used to determine the number of respondents from the various locations and agencies. Convenient sampling was used when respondents withdrew from the study or were unable to continue with the interview for various reasons. The study used questionnaires and interview guides to collect data from the respondents. The study used descriptive analysis methods and narration to analyze the collected data. The study establishes Cattle rustling in Marsabit sub-county can be attributed to traditional practice, insecurity increased in abundancies of pasture and water, administrative zoning, ethno politics, increased poverty and poor job distribution by the county government, corruption by security agencies, heard of cattle rustling and were also familiar with cattle rustling. The effects of cattle rustling include ethnic intolerance, increased insecurity, ethnic balkanization, increase in small arms and light weapons (SALW), Increased poverty and low standards of education. The insecurity in the areas in among the worst in the country and therefore need to be addressed. Finally, there is need for better approaches to cattle rustling other than the traditional ones that included peace building and restoration, police officers deployment, disarmament, arrest and prosecution, intelligence gathering, stopping illegal arms and livestock trade, laws and policy framework, community policing and free and compulsory education, were used to deter rustling. These findings therefore, empathizes the need for proper evaluation of the nexus between Policy and Development. The study recommended that there is need for application of the theory of change and behavior needs to be explored for a turning point both in behavior and cultural way of life that will be able to explore other livelihood alternatives. The security forces from both Kenya and other bordering countries need to review their security approaches in tackling cattle rustling in the area. There is also need of tightening security loopholes that continue to be taken advantage of by the cattle rustling. There is also need for common and collective regional approach by security forces from Kenya and other bordering countries in dealing with cattle rustling in the region. Lastly, there is need for empathizes and proper evaluation of the nexus between Policy and Development in order to develop policies that stresses the need for economic development as a solution to cattle rustling. need for compulsory education, increased vocational training to develop various skills and alternative livelihood as solutions to cattle rustling in Marsabit Sub-County. There is also need for the development of transport and communication infrastructure that are key to enable citizens in accessing legitimate livestock markets.