Abstract:
Globally, millions of small arms and light weapons continue to be proliferated despite
international community ratifying measures as well as domestic legislations to contain
the menace. This study sought to interrogate the influence of small arms and light
weapons proliferation control on human security among the Rendille community of
Marsabit County, Kenya. The objectives of the study were; to interrogate the factors that
contribute to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons, to assess the implication
of small arms and light weapons possession on human security and, to determine the
approaches to control proliferation of small arms and light weapons among the Rendille
community in Marsabit County. While filling existing intellectual gap and field related
challenges on small arms proliferation and human security, the study will inform policy
making process on small arms related challenges in Kenya. Open system theory and
Relative deprivation theory were adopted to guide the study. Descriptive survey research
design was used and the target population was 477 individuals, from which a sample size
of 150 respondents participated in the study. Questionnaires, interview schedules and
Focus Group Discussions were used in collection of primary data. Convergent parallel
mixed method of data analysis was used and research ethical considerations adhered to.
The findings indicated that the major factors contributing to proliferation of small arms
and light weapons included the readiness for revenge attacks, conflict over resources,
boundary disputes, cattle rustling, inter-ethnic conflicts, and political differences among
the various ethnic groups living in the County. Secondly, with prevalent crimes such as
highway banditry, cattle rustling, inter-community attacks and electoral violence
associated with use of small arms and light weapons, food security, community and
personal security, environmental security, health security and economic security had been
negatively affected. The study also noted that sensitization and community policing,
arrest and prosecution of illegal holders of firearms, amnesty, proper border control
mechanisms, disarmament and registration of all illegal firearms holderswere cited as
strategies to control proliferation of small arms and light weapons. Based on these
findings, it was concluded that widespread proliferation of small arms have indeed
affected the various aspects of human security in the study area and thus the need to
mitigate the problem. The researcher recommended that government should recruit, equip
and deploy adequate security personnel to Marsabit County to provide requisite security
and secure the porous borders from arms traffic flow. With the help of the County
Government of Marsabit, national government can identify development projects that
provide an alternative source of income to the pastoralist communities. Further research
was recommended on the implication of primordial social linkages among the trans border communities in proliferation of small arms and light weapons
