Residents Living in Fear Despite Beefed Up Security in Turkana
Communities in Turkana County continue to live in a state of pervasive fear and anxiety, despite recent government announcements of beefed-up security operations to curb banditry. Residents report that the visible presence of security forces has done little to quell the frequent and deadly attacks by armed cattle rustlers, who still strike with alarming brutality. The psychological toll is immense, with many afraid to tend to their farms or graze their livestock, crippling their livelihoods and deepening a humanitarian crisis.
The core of the problem, according to locals and local leaders, is the transient nature of the security response. They argue that while security personnel are deployed following major attacks, they often withdraw too soon, leaving villages vulnerable to retaliatory strikes. Bandits, familiar with the terrain, simply retreat and wait for the security forces to leave before launching new raids. This cycle has eroded public trust in the government’s ability to provide a lasting solution, fostering a sense of abandonment.
Calls are now growing for a more permanent and integrated security solution. Leaders are urging the state to establish fortified police posts and army barracks in the remote, conflict-prone hotspots, rather than relying on temporary, reactive deployments. Additionally, there is a strong push for a development-focused approach that addresses the root causes of the conflict, such as poverty and competition for scarce resources. Until a more sustained and comprehensive strategy is implemented, the people of Turkana fear that the state of insecurity will remain their grim and unyielding reality.