The collapse of the cold war threw millions of durable, deadly, and cheap small arms onto the market, and researchers say most of them ended up in developing countries. Legacy of conflict Even in countries where wars are officially over, guns remain a costly legacy. But researchers studying the issue say more attention must be paid to the reasons behind the demand for such firearms. If we don't understand the dynamics of the demand side, we will not be able to reduce the amount of small arms in use. Like many nomadic pastoralist areas in Africa, Kenya's Northeastern Province has been neglected by both the government and aid agencies.
Infrastructure is poor, and little economic activity takes place beyond livestock trade.
For instance, adult literacy is estimated at below 40 percent, compared with 70 percent nationally. All this has been compounded by a three-year drought, which killed off many families' animals and boosted the motivation for cattle rustling. Osman Ibrahim, an elder of the local Aulihan clan, says given adequate resources, the community could solve the small-arms problem. He recently persuaded 41 clan members to give up their weapons. Community safety concerns Poverty is not the only issue at the root of gun ownership, however.