Aasai

Once a Thriving Gateway, Now a Shadow of Its Former Self

Kainuk, a small town straddling the border between Turkana and West Pokot counties, was once a bustling stopover for travelers, traders, and businesses. Today, it stands eerily quiet, with rows of abandoned shops, deserted streets, and the lingering echoes of a community that once flourished. The town, once full of life, has been crippled by the relentless wave of banditry and insecurity, forcing its residents to flee in search of safety.

The Rise and Fall of Kainuk

Kainuk was a key trading hub, connecting Turkana with the rest of Kenya. For years, business thrived as trucks and travelers heading to and from Lodwar made it a strategic rest stop. The presence of a busy market, schools, and a police station once made it a promising settlement. However, over the past decade, escalating insecurity has made life unbearable for residents.

Armed bandits, often linked to inter-ethnic cattle rustling, have unleashed terror in the town, ambushing vehicles, stealing livestock, and attacking residents. Travelers dread passing through Kainuk, as highways in and out of town have become hotspots for highway robberies. The sound of gunfire at night has become so frequent that it no longer surprises the few who remain.

The Mass Exodus

The insecurity has led to a massive outflow of residents. Business owners have shut down their shops, farmers have abandoned their fields, and families have packed up their belongings in search of safer ground. What was once a busy trading center now has an eerie emptiness, with many houses standing vacant and government offices operating at minimal capacity.

“I had a shop here for 10 years, but I could no longer take the risk. The bandits would steal from us, and sometimes even kill people. We left everything behind and moved to Kitale,” says John Ekal, a former trader in Kainuk.

Even schools have not been spared, as teachers and students relocate to areas with more stability. The once-thriving economy of Kainuk is now in ruins, with only a handful of residents remaining, mostly the elderly who have nowhere else to go.

Government Efforts Falling Short

Despite several security operations by the government, the town remains largely unsafe. While the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and police have been deployed in the region, their presence has not fully restored confidence. Bandits often retreat into remote areas, only to resurface once security forces withdraw.

The local leadership has called for a permanent security presence, including more police patrols and investment in infrastructure to prevent further decline. Residents also urge the government to initiate long-term solutions such as economic empowerment programs to address the root causes of the insecurity.

Hope for Revival?

Kainuk’s decline serves as a stark reminder of how insecurity can destroy communities. However, experts argue that with sustained efforts, the town could be revived. Rebuilding trust in security forces, investing in local businesses, and promoting peace-building initiatives between warring communities could bring Kainuk back to life.

For now, however, Kainuk remains a ghost town—a silent testament to the devastating effects of lawlessness. Residents can only hope that one day, they will return to the town they once called home.