Effects of Disarmament on Human Security in Baringo County, Kenya (1990-2010)

Abstract

The Kenya Government has undertaken disarmament initiatives in pastoralist areas of the country such as Baringo County where possession of illegal arms poses significant socio¬ economic and human security risks. However, there exists no systematic compilation of the history of disarmament in Kenya. The estimates range to more than 50 such disarmament operations in the past 100 years. The aim of disarmament has been on enhancement of human security especially in pastoralist areas. The objective of the study was to assess the effects of disarmament on human security in Baringo County (1990- 2010). Three specific objectives were used; to establish the relationship between disarmament and the current conflicts in Baringo County of Kenya, to assess the effects of disarmament on human security and to identify the various challenges and interventions to disarmament in Baringo County. The study was based on the Human Needs Theory as proposed by John Burton. Qualitative approach was adopted. Both primary and secondary data collection tools were utilized. The findings were that though the disarmament exercise has been on-going since 1990 and throughout, it has increasingly posed significant challenges to the socio-economic, political and security risks of the people residing in the county. The insecurity situation after disarmament has attracted the attention of the local leaders and stakeholders who have petitioned the national government to conduct forceful disarmament in the county. Disarmament has had positive and negative effects on the security of residents in Baringo County. Disarmament exercises like ODA II was highly effective in reducing the civilian attacks and revenge attacks among the community targeted. The negative effects of disarmament included the lack of the promised security to the communities that cooperated and surrendered their weapons like the Samburu. The challenges of disarmament include the abject poverty and the struggling livestock economy. The feeling by the locals of marginalization from the rest of the country in a marginalized region leaves the people with the only recourse as armament to secure their livelihood. The study recommends that due to the continuous occurrence of conflicts in Baringo County, the disarmament efforts should continue in order to rid the area of illicit arms and ensure security of the local population. However, disarmament should be cautiously undertaken to avoid brutal consequences on human security that will act as a catalyst for the demand for weapons.