SUMMARY
The Pokot (also known as Pokoot, Suk and Karasuk) is an ethnic group inhabiting the administrative districts of West Pokot and Baringo of the Rift Valley province in Kenya, as well as the eastern Karamoja region in Uganda. The Pokot is a sub-tribe of the Kalenjin, a grouping of several distinct sub-groups speaking the same Kalenjin language (for more information on this group, se the sections on Kalenjin in the database). The Pokot makes up for an estimated 220 000 people of the around three million Kalenjin.
The Pokot is divided into two sub-groups: the Hill Pokot and the Plains Pokot. The Hill Pokots represent about 75% of the Pokots and are semi-nomadic pastoralists, whereas the Plains Pokots are sedentary agriculturalists. An estimated 85% of Pokots adhere to traditional religion, with the remaining 15% being Christians.
In Pokot society, cattle play an important role, constituting not only the main food source but also a measurement of wealth. Resulting from the importance of cattle, the Pokot have a long tradition of engaging in cattle raids. Traditionally, such cattle raids were non-lethal, but the increased availability of fire arms since the 1990s has led to more violence and fatalities. This higher level of violence resulted in increased animosity and suspicion between the different tribes in Kenya.
In elections, Pokot usually supports candidates from their sur-tribe Kalenjin such as Daniel arap Moi in the 1992 and 1997 presidential elections. Despite the fact that there are no ethnic political parties, ethnicity plays a key role in Kenya´s politics. Candidates usually relay on the support of their own ethnic group and use animosities between the different tribes to gather support from other ethnic groups.
The Pokot has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
The Samburu (also known as Lokop or Loikop) is an ethnic group inhabiting the remote Samburu District in the Rift Valley Province in Kenya. It is one of the smaller of Kenya´s over 70 different ethnic groups, numbering around 240 000. The Samburu is closely related to the Maasai, with whom they share their origin. Both ethnic groups are assumed to have migrated from Ethiopia and the Sudan to their current location as part of the plains Nilotic movement. Despite being closely related, the Samburu and the Maasai often engage in cattle raids against one another. The frequency of such cattle raids results from the important role cattle play in Samburu culture. Cattle not only are the main food supplier, but are also used in various spiritual rituals.
The Samburu is traditionally semi-nomadic pastoralists with cattle, sheep, goats and camels. However, this traditional way of life is endangered through state pressure to permanently locate in one place. Despite strong resistance to this pressure from most Samburu, some Samburu groups have started to seek alternative forms of livelihood such as growing crops. In addition, many, especially young people, have migrated to cities such as Nairobi.
The Samburu has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.
