Effects of drought haunting the private ranchers
By The Mountain Journal
Ranchers in dry parts in Northern Kenya are protesting against the invasion of their lands by illegal grazers with thousands of livestock.
With impunity, the armed illegal herders are constructing semi permanent structures in the private ranches.
in Laikipia where four years ago invasion by the grazers from the neighbouring counties of Isiolo, Samburu and Baringo caused havoc, reports from the ranchers indicate there are hundreds of the grazers who have invaded land in search of grass and water for their animals.
The reports indicate that the illegal grazers have driven their thousands of animals in Rumuruti, Mugie, Laikipia Nature and Conservancy and Suiyan and threatened the ranchers.
Lakipia county security committee in September last year flushed out the illegal herders who had invaded some ranches in pursuit of pasture and water.
Ms Jennings farm who manage one of the expansive ranches regretted the destruction caused in the land following the invasion by the herders.
“ There is tension following the invasion that has led to destruction of the private properties by the herders who have no respect,” she said.
In 2017, the herders burnt structures worth millions of shillings from the ranches as they resisted being evicted by the farm’s security and the law enforcement units.
One of the rancher Tristan Voorspuy was shot dead by the criminals as he moved to inspect home of a friend which had been torched by the herders in the move to invade his ranch.
Laikipia county commissioner Mr Daniel Nyameti said that the government was aware of the new invasions and action would be taken.
“It is true that they have now come back and it will not take time before we act since we are just strategizing,” he said.
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