Baringo Residents Resort to Farming to Escape Banditry
In a significant shift away from traditional pastoralism, hundreds of residents in banditry-prone areas of Baringo County are turning to crop farming as a sustainable alternative to escape the cycle of cattle rustling violence. Communities in sub-counties like Tiaty and Baringo North, once exclusively dependent on livestock, are now cultivating drought-resistant crops on communal farms, seeking a more secure and peaceful livelihood.
The initiative, supported by the national and county governments as well as non-governmental organizations, provides farmers with seeds, tools, and agricultural training. This transition is driven by the realization that livestock have become a recurring target for armed raiders, leading to endless cycles of loss, poverty, and revenge attacks. Farming offers a more stationary and less vulnerable source of food and income.
Local leaders have hailed the move as a crucial step towards building lasting peace. By reducing dependence on livestock, the economic incentive for cattle rustling diminishes. The residents report that the communal farms are not only improving food security but also fostering a new sense of cooperation and shared purpose among communities that were previously in conflict, paving the way for a more stable future.