Property worth millions of shillings was vandalised following an arson attack at homes and offices of Utheri Wa Lari farm in Mai Mahiu, Naivasha.
Tension was high in the troubled farm, forcing members to flee to nearby churches during the Sunday night attack by herders.
Last week, some of the 8,000 members moved into the 22,000-acre land that has been under dispute between them and the Maasai community.
The court in January issued a 30-day eviction notice to the herders who for years have illegally encroached on a section of the land.
According to farm chairman Stephen Muiru, they had lost property worth millions during the attack.
He said despite the threat and intimidation from the herders, they will continue farming, adding that they had all the legal documents to prove ownership.
“We thank the police for moving in fast and quelling the situation before lives were lost and we shall not be cowed by these herders,” Muiru said.
He warned that the situation could degenerate into a bloody conflict, adding that they would not sit back any longer as their property is looted and destroyed.
Peter Njihia, the farm secretary, said those behind the arson were well known, and that this was not the first time they had invaded the land.
He called on the county police commander to implement the court order that was issued three months ago so that those occupying the land illegally move out.
“We have never benefited from this land that we bought over 40 years ago due to court cases and arson attacks and it's time that this was dealt with,” Njihia said.
One of the witnesses, Samuel Ngure, narrated how the herders raided their houses under the cover of darkness before leaving a trail of destruction.
“I had to rescue my children from one of the burning houses and we are now living in fear yet we are living on this land legally,” he said.
This was echoed by Samuel Mburu and Lucy Wambui, who said they did not salvage anything from their houses and were forced to spend the night in one of the churches.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
