Cattle Raiding as a System of Insecurity, Violence, and Resource Redistribution: A Comparative Study of the Pokot and Tugen Societies in the Pre-Colonial Period Baringo County

Author: Peter Makokha Nyukuri, Precious Joan Wapukha, Graham Amakanji

Date: 2025

Abstract: Globally, violence and insecurity continue to pose significant threats, often manifesting through ethnic tensions, political instability, scarcity of natural resources such as grazing land, and the proliferation of illicit weapons, factors that have become central drivers of conflict. More specifically Baringo County, was not an exception. This study explored cattle raiding as a system of insecurity, violence, and resource redistribution among the Pokot and Tugen in Baringo County. The study was anchored on the Cultural Violence Theory, which explains how violence is legitimized through deeply embedded cultural beliefs and practices. A historical research design was and a qualitative research methodology was employed with a combination of interview schedules, focus group discussions, and content analysis of secondary sources of data. Purposive and snowball sampling methods were used to select 216 respondents, including local administrators, village elders, women, youth, and religious leaders. The findings from the study revealed that cattle raiding was not only an economic activity but also a deeply ritualized and organized cultural institution among the Pokot, contributing to a cycle of retaliation and insecurity with the neighboring communities. In addition, the resource scarcity of water and pasture was further worsened by environmental degradation and the weak state influence in managing the conflict. The study concluded that violence has evolved from traditional cultural practices into modern militarized conflicts exacerbated by political manipulation and inadequate governance. This study recommends strengthening of traditional conflict resolution mechanisms, enhancing youth livelihoods, and improving state led security and resource management frameworks.

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