The Role of Community Radios in Changing Perceptions of Cattle Rustling Communities in Turkana County, Kenya

Abstract

Cattle rustling has constantly devastated and disrupted normal livelihoods of the pastoral community in Turkana. Traditionally, cattle rustling is a growing phenomenon and was perceived as a cultural activity through which cattle were raided to pay dowry among Turkana communities. However, in society today, cattle rustling has taken a different dimension altogether! It is characterized by the proliferation of sophisticated small arms in the wrong hands of bandits, which has resulted in wanton and reckless killings, children and women maimed, and property destroyed. To bring to an end the escalating challenges bedeviling the pastoralist community, as a result of persistent banditry in Turkana, In this regard, the study investigated the role played by community radios like Ekeyokon and Echami on changing perceptions of pastoralists in providing a long-lasting solution to the menace. The four objectives of the study were, first, to explain the extent to which community radio programs change perceptions of communities on cattle rustling. Second, to examine the role stakeholders play in providing an enabling environment for community radio stations to change perceptions of cattle-rustling communities. Third, to appraise the strategies the stakeholders put in place to leverage on the community radio stations, and finally, to evaluate the challenges community radio stations face in changing perceptions of communities on cattle rustling in Turkana. A descriptive research design was used in the study. Target population was 400,000 listeners. A sample size of 400 was determined using the Lamola and Yamane formula. Purposive sampling was used to identify the pastoralist community. A simple random sampling technique was also used to identify 5 radio editors, program producers, chair MCK-Turkana, County Director of Peace, and a representative of the Peace partner. Agenda-setting theory was used to evaluate the research problem. On data collection, the study administered a structured questionnaire and key informant interview schedule. Statistical Package for Social Sciences Version 26 and content analysis were used to analyze data. The study concluded that community radio in Turkana was the only powerful game-changer that influences pastoralists’ mindsets and social behavior on cattle rustling. The study recommended the county government intentionally establish a Community Media Fund to effectively support community radios to change pastoralists’ mindsets on the barbaric cattle rustling. It also put forward that the county government must formulate policies and legislation that make radios more effective and efficient. At the same time, outlaws cattle rustling. The study applies to academia, national and county governments, and non-state actors.