| dc.description.abstract | The study sought to find out the influence of cattle rustling on pupils access
to free primary education in Bartabwa Division in Baringo North District of
Kenya. Access to good quality education in several conflict-affected areas is
seriously imperiled not only due to the direct effects of fighting, but also
because schools, teachers, students and staff are often targeted by violent
attacks. In the face of repeated incidents and threats of attack, children are
afraid to go to school and parents are scared of sending them to school
whereas teachers will be afraid to go to work.
With such magnitude of violence in place Schools have closed to prevent
attacks and the government may be reluctant to reopen schools because threats
of attack may still be present. As a result most areas that experienced cattle
rustling recorded low pupil enrolment since most parents feared for the lives
of their children. Most schools in these marginalized areas also register high
dropout rates due to insecurity reasons. Teachers on the other hand have been
forced to desert duty and relocate to other places. All these happenings cause
serious problems towards accessing primary education.
The researcher formulated study objectives with the main objective being to
find out the influence of cattle rustling on pupils access to free primary
education in Bartabwa Division in Baringo North District of Kenya, with the
goal of identifying major causes, the effects, the challenges and the measures
taken to stop cattle rustling in the division. Research questions were derived
from the specific objectives and were later used to come up with questions for
the questionnaires. The study was guided by Peace Building Theory of
Redekop which identified five interrelated categories of human identity needs.
The theory stipulates that deep rooted conflict is about identity.
The study used descriptive survey design using both qualitative and
quantitative approaches because it intended to avail useful detailed
information on the factors influencing pupils access to primary education in
cattle rustling prone areas of Bartabwa Division in Baringo North district. The
instruments used in collection of data included questionnaires and interview
guides. They were designed for the different groups of sample representatives.
The study established that cattle rustling had various causes such as need to
expand boundaries, incitements by politicians, competition for grazing fields
and it was a lucrative business to some people. The study also established out
that cattle rustling had effects on pupils access to primary education. Some
pupils dropped out of school as a result of cattle rustling others became
orphans, others feared attacks while at school therefore they stopped going to
school and teachers stopped going to school for fear of being the targets. All
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this crippled accessibility of education by pupils in Bartabwa Division in
Baringo North District.
The study made the recommendation that in order to improve the situation on
the area the government in partnership with Non-Governmental Organizations
should set up more boarding schools to shorten the distance and improve on
security by building police camps near the boarding schools. In order to stop
the practice of cattle rustling the government to eradicate black markets for
cattle. Also, all security agencies and relevant line ministries should
collaborate with each other and with key education stake holders to ensure that
the cattle rustling is promptly and effectively resolved so that pupils can
continue with their education without fear | en |
