While the conflict in Laikipia was initially about herders looking for pasture for their drought-stricken livestock, the issue appears to have metamorphosed into land disputes.
The closure of Sosian also points to the ranchers’ lack of confidence in what the future holds.
The closure of Sosian Ranch in Laikipia County following the drawn-out conflict between landowners and herders is unfortunate. For one, 21 direct jobs have been lost and suppliers of the premier tourist facility have been left without a market. The country has also lost tax revenues that are generated by the ranch, and more. The Laikipia ranchers’ lobby claims landowners pumped Sh4 billion into the local economy last year, which is what Kenyans stand to lose given the prevailing conditions.
While the conflict in Laikipia was initially about herders looking for pasture for their drought-stricken livestock, the issue appears to have metamorphosed into land disputes. The onset of the rainy season means that pasture is longer a scarce commodity, and thus the ranch invasions should have ended. But alas, the conflict is still there and shows no sign of abating. It need not have ended this way.
By failing to end the rifts in the county, the government appears to show a lack of seriousness in a matter that has already caused a lot of pain for residents, including a number of deaths. Even with police deployments, the problem is far from resolved.
The closure of Sosian also points to the ranchers’ lack of confidence in what the future holds -- what with herders defying heavy security deployments to loot and vandalise property, for months. It may be a forewarning: if the government does not act now, the already fragile tourist circuit in Laikipia may be no more.
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