When all the stereotypes and hullabaloo have settled;
When you are ready to question the hogwash bloating the fourth estate and
When the hate-mongers are done telling you their stage-managed stories;
Then you can read these hard truths about the acrimonious perception of the Pokots.
In the recent past, blatant cold blood murders have been experienced along the Kerio Valley in Kenya. These killings have greatly been linked with the vicious circle of banditry and cattle rustling between the Pokots and fellow pastoralist neighbours. Undoubtedly, the conflicts among these warring communities bordering each other have escalated unabated. As if this is not enough, Pokots continue to bear the brunt of assassinations of top brass of their political leaders. Gory videos and images evidence of the operationalization of the shoot-to-kill order flood the press. What happened to human rights? Where is justice for the people?
It should be crystal clear that banditry and cattle rustling are perpetrated by criminals. It is unacceptable to sentence an entire community to suffer because of the lawlessness of few uneducated culprits in possession of illegal firearms. According to the post 'Amin, Soviet link to Pokots arms race' by Kamau John, the Daily Nation writer articulates the complexity of illegal firearms purportedly owned by Pokots. The Jubilee government, just like its predecessors use a reactive approach instead of using proactive strategies. Hence, the Deputy President's order that the Kenya Defense Forces should shoot to kill bandits and/or cattle rustlers is null and void.
Allow me to briefly share the story of my father's education as a simple analogy of the need to advocate for forceful education to eradicate cattle rustling. Some members of my extended family still reside in this ancestral land, along Kerio Valley. I must admit a few of them have never had the luxury of being formally educated. The world is unforgiving for the uneducated. Long'arkemer was born and bred on the western escarpment of the Kerio Valley the now West Pokot County (WPC). Few people defy their parents’ advice and eventually succeed in their defiance. However, Long'arkemer’s testimony is unique in the sense that he absconded his shepherding responsibilities to pursue limited education opportunities at his disposal. To my grandfather, this registered as an act of disobedience. Grandpa wanted him to conventionally define his wealth through ownership of large herds of livestock. This is a repetitive cliché among some of the prominent Pokots. His bravado against the archaic community traditions cushioned subsequent generations against uncivilized customs.
According to UNESCO, education is critical for exercising of other human rights. It is the responsibility of a country's government to provide basic education as a fundamental human right. The post-independence decision by the government of Kenya to advocate for forceful education of Pokot children of
school going age came as a reprieve to Long'arkemer. In order to enforce this initiative,
Chiefs were instructed to arrest any parent who assigned children of school going age - herding
responsibilities instead of enrolling these children in school. To date, Long'arkemer holds education close to his heart. He has continued to mentor young minds from
the community to pursue education against all odds. He is credited with establishment of a best performing private boarding academy - a center of excellence in primary school education in WPC.
Combating banditry and cattle rustling using military operations is
null and void. This is because it subjects innocent citizens residing in these conflict zones
to inhumane military force. Military operations result to extrajudicial
executions, looting , destruction of property and internal displacement of
populations.
