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Government Prohibits Herders From Using Guns

SK 2 years ago 1 min read

Anyone who uses a firearm to herd their animals will now be breaking the law.

President William Ruto issued the prohibition order on Sunday, instructing livestock keepers to use sticks to herd their animals.

His order comes at a time when sections of Northern Kenya are being targeted by bandits who have killed residents and stolen livestock

“No one will be allowed to walk around with a gun while herding. Let everyone use a stick, guns are for the police,” said Ruto.

The use of firearms by herders in pastoral communities has become common, owing to the fact that it is the only way herders can defend themselves and their animals when they are attacked by bandits or wild animals.

However, in many cases, these same firearms have been used to terrorize others while stealing livestock from communities.

Ruto, addressing in Lamu, said the government has put aside 20 billion shillings to deal with insecurity, and he reiterated his call for citizens to surrender all unlicensed guns to police.

Herders in areas such as the Suguta Valley, Kapedo, Tiaty Arabal, and Kainuk, to mention a few, can hardly move from one area to another in search of pasture without their riffles strapped to their shoulders.