Addressing Armed Violence in East Africa.pdf - Project Ploughshares

Addressing Armed Violence in East Africa3. KenyaThe role of women in perpetuating violence is mostly indirect.While women don’t take up arms, we were told that if thefamily has acquired a weapon it’s the duty of the mother to“brainwash” youngsters about the financial problems of thefamily, the cost and trouble to acquire the weapon, and how itmust be used. This apparently works to convince the youth.Women can also be key to making peacewithin and between communities.Male and female identities are closely allied with traditionalgender roles within pastoralist societies. One personinterviewed said: “Those raiders who are brave, their braveryis known. When they return successfully, they command theattention of young ladies. There are songs in their honour andthe young ladies fall for them.” Another indicated there are“some lady laibons, who are very tough, very powerful. Butmainly it is the men who use the guns.”Women can also be key to making peace within and betweencommunities. In one small urban community they havewomen’s groups to make peace in the community. The mothersthere have sons in the rural areas, many of whom participatein raids, so these mothers get together and discuss how to helptheir sons. The mothers then go and talk to their own sons toconvince them not to get involved in raids.Instruments of violenceIdentifying the instruments of violence and their sources isan important part of assessing how armed violence can bereduced or better controlled. As already noted from interviews,the widespread introduction of automatic weapons into thesepastoralist areas fundamentally changed the nature andlethality of cattle raids.People were asked where these guns come from and how muchthe guns and ammunition cost.Interviewees identified guns as the most prominent weaponsused in armed violence in Turkana, Pokot and Marakwetcommunities. Guns were considered pervasive among theTurkana and Pokot, and the research team observed whiledriving in the rural areas that herders of goats and cattle, someappearing to be young teenagers, carried guns.The most prevalent guns in the area were reportedly variationsof the AK-47, including the Chinese AK-47, which isincreasingly available. The G3, M16 and Mark 4 guns were alsomentioned. The amakada and achegere guns were mentioned butnot defined. Pistols can be found in urban areas.“Bombs” – likely grenades –are also used to kill raiders and takelivestock. Rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) were reportedlyused by the Sudanese. One interviewee referred to a “big gunthat stands on its own and can throw a ‘bomb’”.Also mentioned were less common but more traditional weaponssuch as spears, small arrows, poisoned arrows, sticks and spears.Most commonly used in post-election violence were machetes,and match sticks and petrol for torching houses. Another tacticnamed was to poison drinking water, such as the pool behind adam, affecting people and livestock. As well, enemies reportedlysold sick goats to spread disease through the herds of theiropponents.The market for gunsIn Kenya it was relatively straightforward to get answers toquestions in interviews about the cost of guns and ammunition.The cost of an AK-47 was frequently cited as eight cows or about50,000 Kenyan shillings (KSh) or US$625, although the qualityand therefore the value of cows can vary. One intervieweeput the cost of an AK-47 much lower at KSh15,000–20,000(US$187.50–250). In one interview an AK-47 was said to cost12–15 cows, and a better value if paid in cows than in cash.Another said an AK-47 cost 80 cows when guns were introducedin the early 1970s, but now cost seven or eight cows. Mostclaimed that bullets for an AK-47 cost KSh100 (US$1.25) each,while a few reported a cost of KSh150 (US$1.88). Bullets costKSh10 (US 12 cents) in the 1990s. An RPG reportedly costKSh70,000 (US$875), an amakada KSh30,000 (US$375) and anachegere KSh40,000 (US$500).The Turkana interviews gave the strong impression that thePokot have more guns than Turkana or Marakwet. One personinterviewed disagreed. The Pokot live along a border supply areawith Uganda where the Karamojong readily traffic in weapons.Pokot criminals were indicated as the source of guns by bothTurkana and Marakwet. Sometimes the Pokot were reportedto lend guns to criminals, who then bought guns with moneystolen in their robberies. Turkana also reportedly bought gunsfrom Pokot. These weapons were obtained, according to people22