Police maintain herders provoked shooting of over 300 animals

Police officers patrol the Laikipia Nature Conservancy Photo:Courtesy

Police have maintained the killing of over 300 cows in Latia, Laikipia North, happened in a shootout with pastoralists.

The pastoralists, it is alleged, had invaded private farms along the Laikipia-Samburu border.

Laikipia Police Commander Simon Kipkeu said the herders shot at police officers who were on patrol.

“When the pastoralists saw the police, they hid amongst the livestock to shield themselves and started firing at them. Police had no other alternative other than returning fire,” he said.

The police boss maintained operations to smoke out pastoralists from Pokot and Samburu counties who have invaded private farms in Laikipia would continue.

Activists have been lobbying for dialogue among leaders from the pastoralists communities instead of evicting them.

Area MP Sarah Korere condemned the killings, saying there were alternative ways of dealing with invasion.

"If the animals had trespassed, why couldn’t they arrest the herders? Would anyone question the pastoralists whose cows have been killed if they stole an equal number of animals from others?” she posed.

“The animals did not drive themselves into the farm. The herders are the ones who should be punished,” Laikipia Deputy Governor John Mwaniki added.

Following rising cases of invasion of private ranches, Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi met security teams and leaders from Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo and West Pokot to find a solution.