Stop leaders inciting pastoral communities

The chairman of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, Dr Mzalendo Kibunjia, has singled out divisive politicians as the main cause of recent ethnic violence among some pastoral communities. He warned that stern action will be taken against such people.

Dr Kibunjia’s observation adds to a growing pile of evidence as to the causes of increasing violence among pastoral communities.

An analysis of climate reports by the Kenya Meteorological Department since the 1997-98 El Nino phenomenon have generally shown decreasing natural resources, especially in arid areas.

Almost without exception, these reports have forecast an intensification of competition for resources hence more intercommunity and even human versus animal conflict.

This has also been documented by several UN bodies, and even the Famine Early Warning Systems Network.

A much more recent study by the International Livestock Research Institute has confirmed the hypothesis that the shrinking of grazing lands and increasing population are the main causes of recurrent hunger and conflict in the region.

In September, an international meeting was held in Nairobi over the hunger situation in Northern Kenya and the larger Horn of Africa region where these issues were discussed and a plan of action to mitigate future famines suggested.

Dr Kibunjia could be right that opportunistic politicians may be manipulating such vulnerable communities to achieve short-term objectives and they need to be stopped now.

However, while the coming elections may enhance tensions and even increase the incidence of violence, we must not lose sight of the bigger picture – making northern Kenya and other arid areas achieve their full potential.