State gives herders four days to vacate Laikipia

Laikipia County Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga

LAIKIPIA: Hundreds of illegal herders who have invaded various parts of Laikipia County have until Monday midnight to move out, or be forcibly evicted.

A security committee yesterday gave the herders, most of whom are armed, four days to vacate with their livestock.

Commissioner Wilson Wanyanga said the herders have been targeting ranches, conservancies and even agricultural lands, where they have been grazing their cattle without consent from the land owners.

"We have an estimated 70,000 heads of cattle, which are grazing in various parts of the county, especially in ranches and conservancies.

We have information that the herders, who are heavily armed have been grazing their cattle even in agricultural lands. This has  heightened tension within the affected areas," Mr Wanyanga told journalists in a press briefing in his Nanyuki town office.

The administrator claimed the herders have even been scouting and stealing cattle from the locals whenever they move out.

INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE

He said the operation will be held concurrently with another in Baringo County, to ensure no rustling cases are reported.

Wanyanga regretted that the cattle being grazed in the county illegally belong to influential people and businessmen from Isiolo and Samburu Counties.

"We are advising them to buy their cattle hay, or other animal feeds or still, buy enough land where their animals can graze at ease," he said.

He said the herders will not be allowed to occupy other people's lands as if there was no government to protect the sanctity of the owners' title deeds.

"We cannot allow anyone to forcefully occupy another person's lands. We want to show them that there is government in Laikipia. We know the animals belong to prominent people, rich people, businessmen from neighbouring counties, and we will take this harsh action so as to force them come out," he warned.

The ultimatum comes barely a day after a woman was shot dead in Naibor area leaving an a young baby.

Wanyanga said the murderers are believed to be among the illegal herders who have occupied various areas in the county.

ARREST WARNING

Last week, the herders allegedly set on fire 35,000 acres of vegetation at Ol Ari Nyiro, popularly known as Laikipia Nature Conservancy, in what was seen as a revenge attack against an order to move them out.

Wanyanga, who was accompanied by Administration Police Commander Dickson Njiru and regular police Commandant Angelus Karuru said the worst affected conservancies are Ol Ari Nyiro, Loisaba, Lekuruki and Il Ngw'esi conservancies.

He warned herders who will defy orders to move out that they risk being arrested and charged in court.

"We will not arrest them again. We will only push them out to ensure they do not come back again," he said.