The shooting of world-famous conservationist and author Kuki Gallmann over the weekend confirms once again that security fears expressed by Laikipia ranchers are well-founded.
Ms Gallmann becomes the latest victim of the bloodletting that has rocked the area from late last year. It started off as a simple conflict between about pasture but a section of herders now talks of historical land rights as security agencies blame local politicians for fanning the chaos.
Whatever the reason behind the flare-up, the lawlessness must be contained without further delay.
The government must take every step to put to an end the killing of ranchers, herders and wild animals. The Constitution offers protection to life and rights.
Peace and tranquility must be shared through the length and breadth of Kenya. Allowing pockets of miscreants to run riot in any section of the country betrays the notion that people in leadership hardly learn from the past.
We all saw how insecurity — caused mainly external and unpredictable terrorists – between 2013 and 2015 almost drove tourism to its knees.
It’s been a slow recovery ever since. Kenya should be keen to build on every positive international image.
One such moments came in January when a UK publication, Rough Guides, named the country as the top tourist destination in Africa and ninth in the world.
Since then, many such positive reviews have followed, the latest being this month’s ranking by the World Economic Forum which placed the country as at number three in the sub-Saharan Africa’s list of travel and tourism competitiveness.
The law breakdown, therefore, appears set to push the country several steps back after the major strides forward. Laikipia is significant in the country’s tourism map.
It is a home to conservancies that attract British and Americans nationals.
It is futile to continue spending millions of shillings to market the country’s attractions internationally when cases such as Laikipia still persist.
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
