There have been conflicts between herders from Samburu, Isiolo, Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot and owners of private farms and ranches in various parts of the country.
A section of elders have accused a Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel of working with legislators from Samburu County to incite herders to invade ranches in the county.
Mr Lempurkel, however, denied the claims, terming them propaganda spearheaded by his political rivals
The government says it has moved about 60,000 head of cattle from ranches and private farms in Laikipia West, North and East constituencies, where they had been forcefully driven.
According to Laikipia County Commissioner Onesmus Musyoki, more than 150 people were arrested and charged with illegal grazing and destruction of property.
Mr Musyoki made the claims amid criticism from land owners who insist that the invasions are still continuing despite government promises to contain them.
When Mr Musyoki was confronted with the criticism, he stood firm by his statement, saying calm had been restored in most parts of the county.
“The situation in parts of the county that had been invaded by herders is not as volatile as people have been portraying. Calm and peace have been restored,” he said.
However, he admitted that the situation in Mugie, Suyian and Kifuko ranches remains serious, adding that the issue was being dealt with.
“Security personnel are on the ground dealing with illegal herders who have invaded private ranches and farms and I want to assure residents that calm will be restored,” he said.
There have been conflicts between herders from Samburu, Isiolo, Turkana, Baringo and West Pokot and owners of private farms and ranches in various parts of the country. Herders desperate to save their starving animals have forced their way into the vast properties, causing destruction.
Mr Musyoki advised those seeking pasture to first seek the consent of the farm owners. On the other hand, he asked land owners to follow set procedures and involve the security personnel.
“It is very wrong for ranch owners to enter into grazing agreements with herders without involving security agencies and later start blaming the government when the situation gets out of hand,” he said.
“This has greatly jeopardised the government’s effort to evict the herders. I want to urge ranchers and other farm owners to follow due procedure when entering into such agreements,” he cautioned.
Meanwhile, a section of elders have accused a Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel of working with legislators from Samburu County to incite herders to invade ranches in the county.
Led by former county council chairman Samson ole Montu, the elders accused the lawmaker of inciting the herders to invade ranches owned by white settlers.
Mr Lempurkel, however, denied the claims, terming them propaganda spearheaded by his political rivals
PAYE Tax Calculator
Note: The results are not exact but very close to the actual.
