Source: Daily Nation
Women from North Rift pastoral communities have launched a joint venture to contain cattle rustling.

The women, drawn from Pokot, Marakwet, Turkana and Samburu communities, will undertake common business enterprises to boost peaceful co-existence and improve food security in the region.

The programme launched at Lokori in Turkana East District is sponsored by the government and World Vision International.

"The women are involved in trade cooperation dealing in livestock products and essential commodities like cereals and vegetables as a means of promoting peace and generating income," explained Turkana East district commissioner Daniel Obolla at the launch of the programme.

The project also involves an education exchange programme among the four communities.

School enrolment

"High illiteracy has been cited as the main cause of cattle rustling attacks and the education exchange programme will expose the youths to legal income generating projects," noted Mr Oballa.

The provincial administration in cattle rustling-prone areas in Rift Valley has also made it mandatory for parents to take their children to school.

The programme involves exchanging guns for books. Youths are encouraged to surrender arms in exchange for learning material.

"Economic empowerment through trade cooperation and education are immediate solutions to cattle rustling and banditry menace," said Mr Obolla.

• Kenya