Governor faults Regional Coordinator handling of ranchers, herders conflict

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi when he appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts and Investment Committee at Parliament on Thursday 06/09/18 on audit queries. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Laikipia Governor Ndiritu Muriithi has criticised Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Mongo Chimwaga’s handling of the conflict between private ranchers and herders who have invaded farms.

Mr Muriithi described remarks attributed to Mr Chimwaga, calling for negotiations between the ranchers and herders from neighbouring counties as “reckless.”

The county boss said the administrator, as the head of security in the region ought to advocate for maintenance of law and order, instead of championing for dialogue with criminals.

Laikipia County has been the epicentre of violence for several weeks now, pitting ranchers against herders.

“Farm invasions are not disputes but criminal acts and we expect the government officers including the RC to enforce the law strictly,” Mureithi explained.

The governor regretted that a security officer was fighting for his life in hospital after being shot in the head by illegal herders.

“The Regional Coordinator should well remember dozens of Kenyans including six police officers killed in similar invasion two years ago and give this matter the seriousness it deserves,” he said.

Lucy Jennings of Jennings Farm claimed that the government has ignored their pleas to flush the herders from their property.