Thesis:

Assesment of banditry implications on socio-economic development in Baringo south sub-county, Kenya

Banditry incidents have affected locals in various ways like displacement from homes, poor health concerns, closure of schools, increase of poverty, low literacy levels, and unfavourable business environment in some parts of the Sub-County. The researcher was concerned that insecurity was perceived to be a factor in slow socio-economic development because people cannot engage in meaningful developmental activities in an area where they fear for their lives due to crime threat. Addressing banditry issues require integrated collaboration from all stakeholders. This is evident in various efforts put by several leaders aimed at stopping banditry. Both national and County governments have put in place significant measures to enhance security, but challenges still exist. Therefore, this research studied the influence of banditry to socio-economic development in Baringo South Sub-County. The study investigated causes of banditry, assessed the implications of banditry to average income levels, implications of banditry on literacy levels and identified possible solutions to banditry. Theoretical review of banditry in relation to socio-economic development is extrapolated to enhance understanding of the document readers. The study findings can assist in informing governments and communities on ways of curbing banditry through prevention, mitigation, or both measures. Purposive and stratified random sampling techniques were used in selecting sample for the study. The sample size was 364 residents. Chiefs, Assistant chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners (ACCs) and Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) of Baringo South Sub-County were included as key informants for the study. Mixed research methods of combining quantitative and qualitative were used in the study, with instruments for data collection being closed ended questions questionnaires and open-ended structured interview schedules. To test validity and reliability of research instruments, a pilot study was carried out at Baringo North Sub-County, which is a location that had similar environment and banditry challenges just like the study area. The study found that there are various causes of banditry with pasture and water disputes, cultural beliefs and attachment to livestock, commercial interests and access to small arms and light weapons being the most significant causes. The study also found that banditry has significant consequences on income levels of residents. Banditry affects average income levels of locals through its significant effect on aspects such as poverty; destruction of business activities, displacements from home, creating an unfavorable climate for investors, unemployment, and employees’ willingness to work in the area. Further, the findings of the study demonstrated that banditry has significant implications on literacy levels through its effect on closure of schools, instilling fear in teachers, parents and learners, school dropouts, learners walking long distances to access schools and late entry to schools by children. As a result of the effect of banditry on average income levels and literacy, there are various mitigation and prevention measures identified that can be enhanced to contain banditry and its effect on the communities. The study recommends that communities in banditry prone areas should be empowered and enlightened in diversified economic activities so as to stop overreliance on livestock farming. Future research should focus on evaluating gender variation on the social- economic effect of banditry in Baringo South Sub-County. The assessment will bring differences on how men and women are affected by banditry and provide effective humanitarian support to all genders.