This Laikipia dispute returned to the spotlight after ranchers said illegal grazers had moved back onto private land even after a security operation drove away more than 2,000 head of cattle.
The complaints centred on Jennings farm in Rumuruti, Mugie, Laikipia Nature and Conservancy, and Suiyan, where landowners said herders had invaded in search of food and water for their animals.
Lucy Jennings, who owns Jennings farm, said the herders had damaged hundreds of acres on her 2,190-acre property and put up shelters on the land. She also said an electric fence had been destroyed to open access to the farm.
Jennings said the situation had become more tense after police officers killed one of the illegal grazers and confiscated more than 500 animals. She said the herders were from Baringo and Samburu counties.
“The illegal grazers have now come back to our lands where they are grazing with impunity. This is despite the Government’s order to have them out of our farms. They have even constructed semi-permanent houses on my own farm where they are now living,” she said.
Laikipia West Deputy County Commissioner Benedict Munywoki said the government knew about the renewed invasions and would take action. County Commissioner Onesmas Kyatha said security officers had driven the livestock to the Laikipia-Samburu and Isiolo borders.
Kyatha said the animals were from Kirimon and Kisima in Samburu County, and added that some of the cattle belonged to a former MP. He also said Jennings farm had been invaded last week, the cows found there were impounded, and the herders arrested.
He said there was no excuse for forcing grazing onto private farms and urged pastoralists to seek permission from landowners before entering their land.
Police were also pursuing cattle rustlers who stole four head of cattle and sheep at Kamwenje village in Laikipia West sub-county before fleeing toward Baringo County. The stolen animals were driven toward Laikipia Nature Conservancy and had not been recovered.
Ranchers led by Laikipia Farmers Association chairman Martin Evans warned that the repeated invasions could hurt business, especially during the festive season. They said the earlier unrest had already affected tourism in the region.
The report also recalled the violence that hit Laikipia in 2000 and again in later years, when thousands of cattle were stolen, ranchers were injured or killed, and lodges were destroyed by invaders. In March of the later unrest, Tristan Voorspoy, a former British army officer, was shot dead by herders while inspecting some of his lodges.
Suyian and Loisaba lodges were among the worst affected before security officers contained the situation after almost a year. Kyatha said officers from the General Service Unit, Administration Police, regular police and National Police Reservists had stepped up patrols to maintain law and order.
