A two-year campaign to weed out banditry and cattle rustling activities in Northern Kenya is bearing fruits.
Dozens of community warriors better known as morans and whose main occupation in the past was to attack motorists on highways and conduct armed raids to steal cattle have now turned to genuine traders traversing various livestock markets in Samburu, Marsabit, Isiolo and Laikipia counties.
Owing to cultural norms dictating that the community warriors spend most of their time in the bushes away from public eyes, convincing them to abandon traditional practices has been a slow and lengthy process undertaken by respected community elders.
Communities in the region have introduced alternative means of making a living, mostly through business ventures.