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Security teams to flush out herders from Samburu, Buffalo Springs game reserves

Armed herders clashed at parks, leaving six people dead and scores injured

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by Hussein Salesa

Sports17 June 2021 - 10:36
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In Summary


• The operations will run at the same time to ensure herders do not move to neighbouring parks and return once the officers leave. 

• The deployment comes four days after armed herders clashed at the game reserves, leaving six people dead and scores injured.

Police officers prepare to flush out herders from game reserves.

Multi-agency teams have been deployed to remove herders illegally grazing cattle in Bisanadi, Buffalo Springs and Samburu game reserves.  

Authorities say the presence of armed herders within the parks is a threat to both tourists and wildlife. 

The operations will run at the same time to ensure herders do not move to neighbouring parks and return once the officers leave. 

The deployment comes four days after armed herders clashed at the game reserves, leaving six people dead and scores injured.

Isiolo county police commander Joseph Kigen said the security team will carry out the operation in the next 10 days.

He called upon the police officers involved in the operation to maintain discipline and embrace teamwork. 

Isiolo county secretary Ahmed Galgalo assured the team of support and called on officers to do the job without causing harm.

Tourism executive Halima Abgudo and chief officer Ibrahim Challa were present.

Galgalo pleaded with the officers to uphold ethical conduct as they undertake the exercise.

"It’s my wish you won’t act like the police officers of the 20th century who were referred to as the police force. Desist desist from using excessive force as you are now referred to as the National Police Service," he said.

Tourism accounts for 70 per cent of the Isiolo's annual revenue.

Galgalo said that the county will continue working closely with the security team to ensure that sanity is restored in the parks.

The county is recruiting 60 youths to work as rangers and boost surveillance within the three parks.

The leaders said that they will not sit and watch as criminals cause mayhem within protected game reserves in the name of grazing.

There is plenty of grass for grazing elsewhere, hence there was no need for herders to invade the parks, they said. 

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)

A herd of cattle in a game reserve.
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