More Laikipia invasions, lodges closing over insecurity

@Waithaka06

Community conservancies in Laikipia county are facing another invasion by armed migrant herders streaming in with thousands of livestock.

Residents are afraid this will again worsen security, conservation and tourism.

Several months ago, a multi-agency security operation was launched in other parts of Laikipia to expel bandits.

But it's happening again.

Apart from illegally grazing in the forest, they raid people’s homes and rape women and young girls and hijack vehicles and steal from travellers, Wilfred Ole Mejooli said.

He is chairman of the 70,000-acre Community Forest Association at the borders of Laikipia, Isiolo and Samburu counties.

Laikipia Conservancies Association (LCA) chairman Kip Ole Polos on Tuesday said migrant herders from the neighbouring Isiolo and Samburu counties are driving  animals into the protected areas without the consent of local communities or the government.

Ole Polos, who is also the chairman of Ilng’wesi Community Conservancy in Mukogodo forest said three other conservancies under threat are Kurikuri, Makurian and Lekuruki.

"As we speak, Lekuruki has been overrun by cattle," he said, adding that about 20,000 head of cattle restricted to Loldaiga and Olenaishu are all down at Lekuruki.

“A big threat is not only about the land but also land degradation, security, tourism, education and all development the community living around the place,"  Ole Polos said.

He said Tassia community lodge has already closed down, owing to the security threat, adding that if something is not done within the next week, Ilng’wesi will also be forced to shut down.

“The last two years have been very difficult because of Covid-19. Tourism had started coming in and now we are being overrun by outsiders who are heavily armed” the chairman said.

He added they will have to close down the lodges for the safety of tourists and staff.

He said the animals were being grazed by young boys and that it was difficult to know the owners of the livestock. He said the owners should seek permission to graze as it is understandable because of drought.

Ole Polos said three days ago, a young herder from the  community was shot dead while grazing livestock in the Mukogodo forest by the migrant herders. Nothing was stolen.

“We are not living on an island. All what we ask is for these livestock owners to follow the right procedure because we have pastures we can share. Today they will be here in Mukogodo. What what about tomorrow when they exhaust the grass?” Ole Polos asked.

Wilfred Ole Mejooli said they were facing serious challenges from the armed migrant herders, noting the local community is not armed.

Mejooli said the few community rangers at the forest were being overwhelmed by the herders, urging the government to support them.

“This place has a great potential of grass and water and these herders come from as far as Maralal and Marsabit while heavily armed.

"There's nothing much the local community, which takes care of the forest in terms of conservation, can do," Mejooli said.

Mukogodo forest is one the best community forests in the country that is being conserved by local people.

Mukogodo assistant county commissioner Peter Ole Ngeny said the security apparatus was monitoring the situation to avert any violence caused by the migrant herders.

“We are engaging local administrators and local leaders over the encroachment on community conservancies. We want to ensure private properties are respected and there should be peaceful coexistence," Ngény said.

Last year and early this year, migrant herders who were heavily armed with illegal weapons invaded private lands in most parts of Laikipia West and North, killing and maiming people including security officers and stealing livestock.

Interior CS said the violence is about more than pasture and water — it's about efforts to grab land and armed criminal gangs are involved. 

(Edited by V. Graham)