Kenya: President William Ruto wants to disarm herders

A Kenyan farmer leading his herd near Kisumu in February 2008. AP - Ben Curtis

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President William Ruto wants to ban the use of firearms by herders to guard their herds.

The head of state makes the announcement ten days after deploying the Kenyan army in the northern Rift Valley, where cases of armed attacks and cattle rustling are on the rise.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi,

“

 ” is the call launched on Sunday February 26 by the Kenyan president.

wants to regulate more strictly the use of firearms, so that it is reserved for individuals with a license.

He therefore urges herd owners to now use sticks to lead their cattle.

The use of firearms has become widespread in recent years among pastoral communities, who justify it by the need to protect their herds, which constitute their main means of subsistence, in regions where cattle theft between communities is a real plague.

In September 2022, at least 11 people, including eight police officers, lost their lives in a shooting, following a case of cattle theft.

In mid-February, the Minister of the Interior launched an appeal to lay down arms in the northern Rift Valley and promised amnesty to those who responded.

But to date, only 39 firearms and 136 cartridges have been collected.

The Head of State did not specify how he would enforce this ban, but he nevertheless promised to give more means to the security forces to fight against insecurity in the country.

► See also Kenya: the army deployed in the North of the Rift Valley to counter growing violence

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• William Ruto

• Agriculture and Fishing