Insecurity in pastoral areas has remained an ongoing problem and has continued to affect lives through loss of cattle, limited movement, and limited access to basic resources in Baragoi Sub-County, Kenya. This study investigated the link between insecurity as a result of cattle rustling and livelihood outcomes of the communities. It focused on fear of attacks, limited movement, and perceived safety dimensions on herd sizes and access to resources and livelihoods. Anchored on Risk and Uncertainty Theory and the Conflict Theory of social change, study used a descriptive survey research design. It targeted 13,284 heads of households out of which 360 households were selected using stratified, purposive, and simple random sampling techniques. A total of 321 valid responses were collected (89.2%). Information was gathered using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews, and FGDs, whereas quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS software to perform descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, and ordinal logistic regression, while qualitative data were analyzed thematically. Ethical clearance was done, and informed consent was sought. Results showed that restriction of mobility had the greatest relationship with livelihood in the community (χ2 = 34.271, p < 0.001), and it was related to 52% less likelihood of being in a better livelihood category (OR = 0.48, p < 0.001). Qualitative results revealed that cattle raiding associated with obtaining cattle for marriage purposes is responsible for continued fear of attacks. The study finds a strong link between cattle rustling insecurity and pastoral livelihoods, with mobility restriction as the main driver of poor outcomes.
Cite this paper
Lekimain, M. J. (2026). Community Livelihood under Cattle Rustling-Related Insecurity: Evidence from Pastoral Communities in Baragoi Sub-County, Kenya. Open Access Library Journal, 13, e15706. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1115706.
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