‘They killed our cows’ residents accuse multi-agency security team in Laikipia

LAIKIPIA,Kenya, Sep 10 – The government continues to maintain that the war against banditry attacks in Laikipia that have so far claimed the lives of 10 people among them security officers in the volatile area will be won and those found culpable brought to justice.

Unlike the marauding bandits who kill with little care and pillage where they lay terror, residents expected security personnel to protect them against them, now however they say, even police are causing them sleepless nights.

This comes in the wake of an incident in Ol Motonyi area in Laikipia where at least 34 cows were allegedly killed and 8 others injured by government security personnel.

The incident occurred in Laikipia West Thursday at around 3pm.

“When they parked their armoured vehicles police descended here and asked why I was not listening to them, I told them that I was taking my livestock to graze and that i was not doing anything wrong and I have not entered anyone’s farm. I showed them a copy of my title deed but they still beat me then they killed my cows,” said a resident in the area.

They further accused police of tearing a copy of their title deed during the incident.

“We support the security operation, it is supposed to look for the bandits but when they kill our livestock now that is not fair. What mistake have our cows done? We show them title deeds and its like it doesn’t mean anything,” he said.

The herders say that they are rightful land owners and have not invaded anyone’s property.

“These soldiers appeared to be selective in their shooting, out of 34 cows killed, 26 were female. It now seems they were sent here to shoot our cows, this discrimination and land injustice must be end,” said Michael Leshalote.

The mater was reported in Laikipia North but police there told the affected herders to report the incident in Kinamba, in Laikipia West.

The residents say they will even make their appeals heard to the international community after accusing leaders in the National Assembly and Senate of remaining silent on the mater.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr.Fred Matiang’i is Friday touring the volatile area as government continues to conduct a security operation.