This archive report was first published on 9 September 2021.
Published on September 9, 2021, police in Laikipia have made significant progress in their ongoing operation against armed herders.
At least four suspected bandits were arrested on Wednesday, bringing the number of arrests in the operation to date to an undisclosed total.
Police also successfully repulsed a gang that attempted to torch Miharati Primary School in Ol Moran, the second school to be targeted since the conflict began.
Additionally, the team conducting the operation recovered two cows that had been stolen from a home in the same area.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiangi has pledged government assistance to displaced residents in resettling after recent attacks in Laikipia, while security measures are being ramped up to restore calm in the region.
The operation began with the declaration of a dusk-to-dawn curfew in Laikipia Nature Conservancy and its environs on Monday.
Security agencies have also arrested Tiaty legislator William Kamket and ex-Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel on Wednesday over growing tension in Laikipia.
According to security officials, the two will face charges related to breach of peace and destruction of property.
Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya confirmed Kamket's arrest, stating that the two leaders will face charges, but did not divulge details on their role in the ongoing skirmishes.
The emerging confrontation has pitted majority resident farmers against immigrant herders who are allegedly armed with sophisticated weapons.
"While our officers are using AK47 and G3 rifles, the bandits (in Laikipia) are using M16s and other heavy machinery, which are usually used by foreign armies who come for training in Kenya. We don't know how they get these heavy weapons," Natembeya said.
