Herders driven out of Tsavo as leaders cry foul

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Taita-Taveta, Kenya: Security authorities in Taita Taveta have driven more than 50,000 livestock and illegal herders out of the Tsavo Conservation Area (TCA).

The ongoing Government operation, which started last week, is vehemently opposed by North Eastern MPs while their colleagues from Taita Taveta County support it. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) rangers, the General Service Unit are carrying out the operation.

Briefing The Standard on the progress Wednesday, KWS, TCA Senior Assistant Director Julius Kimani said the massive operation was going on as planned.

“We have so far driven over 50,000 animals and their herders out of the Tsavo ecosystem. The operation will continue until the area is rid of illegal herders, arms, poachers and aliens,” he said.

Mr Kimani said livestock owners from North Eastern who had either leased local ranches to fatten their livestock for export or illegally invaded the region, would not be allowed to continue staying.

“The livestock traders are using trucks to transport their livestock out of the county. Some are transporting the animals towards Machakos and Laikipia while others are driving them to Lungalunga and parts of North Eastern,” said the director.

“The herders have to move out of the area first for security reasons and if they want to come back thereafter the county government will have to vet them. The best thing is for the locals to start keeping their own livestock for export,” said Kimani.

Illegal grazing

It is estimated more than 5,000 illegal herders from outside the region had invaded the area with over 100,000 livestock illegally grazing at Tsavo National Park.

He noted that influential livestock traders from North Eastern Province had signed fake lease agreements with dishonest local ranchers to graze thousands of their animals in local ranches to fatten them for export.

“Some herders are armed and a threat to security in the region and the Government will not relent in its efforts to deal with them. There continued presence is causing ecological disaster,” he warned.

The operation comes at a time when cases of wildlife related crimes continue to rise. Kimani pointed out that armed bandits had so far killed several elephants.  Seven legislators from North Eastern led by Eldas MP Aden Keynan condemned the operation terming it cruel and wondered why herdsmen who had leased local ranches were being evicted.

 Local leaders led by County Governor John Mruttu, Senator Dan Mwazo and Woman Representative Joyce Wanjala Lay however, said the operation would not be stopped.