Poor cellphone network adds to herders’ woes

Most Kenyans acknowledge that mobile phones have revolutionised communication and have become a basic necessity.

But Mr Lomukele Kabelbos, 40, of Akoret, East Pokot District, disagrees. To him, communication using mobile phones in arid and semi-arid lands is frustrating and cumbersome.

Lack of a proper network hampers reception of signals in the region. Add to that a deplorable transport network and you get pastoralist communities on the verge of exasperation.

Transport and communication, Mr Kabelbos says, go hand in hand and if one is paralysed, the other cannot serve efficiently.

“Even reaching the district headquarters to inform security personnel of an impending security lapse takes days.

“Few of us who have phones have to cover long distances moving up the hills to locate where the device can be used,” he explains.

Posed challenges

The impassable roads and poor network connectivity for mobile phone services, the residents say, have posed challenges to the communities’ efforts to contain crime.

And now, the pastoralists want the government to invest in long term solutions to end cattle rustling and banditry.

The outcry comes barely two weeks after armed bandits raided Kulal area in East Pokot District and fled with 2,755 head of cattle after killing two herders.

During food distribution at Konger trading centre in the district, the residents said response from security personnel comes too late when the attackers have long gone, all due to poor infrastructure.

The government, they said, should open up roads in the area and intensify patrols to arrest the situation that they said had retarded development in the region.

“Look at our roads. Not any type of vehicle can pass through this rough terrain that is full of rocks and dust.

“Does it mean the government doesn’t attach any economic value to areas inhabited by pastoralist communities?”asked Akoret ward civic leader Omari Kukat.

Recover animals

He cited the Kulal attacks saying the police responded after three days because even informing them that they were in danger was difficult since mobile phones are not operational in most parts of the district.

Residents blamed frequent raids on poor communication network with security personnel as pastoralists who lose livestock resort to avenging the attack and organise to recover their animals.

“We shall be branded cowards if we don’t go for our animals. Besides that, without a revenge attack, our enemies will return for more raids,” said Mr Michael Lomade.