Government issues 7-day ultimatum to illegal herders to vacate private farms in Laikipia

NAIROBI,Kenya, July 29 – The government is set to conduct a crackdown on illegal herders said to have invaded private farms in Laikipia county, however until then, a seven-day ultimatum has been issued to facilitate a gracious vacation from the properties.

Upon the conclusion of the notice, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i warned that the herders would be forcefully evicted.

The encroachment on the private farms have been attributed to the ongoing spate of violence and clashes between local farmers and owners of private ranches and conservancies.

“We are preparing a serious crackdown. It’ll be ruthless and merciless, and I plead will all illegal herders to move out within the period,”  said Matiang’i who further said, “the government will not hesitate to use force, if necessary, with a view to protecting the lives and private property bearing the brunt of invasions.”

Speaking at the Anti-Stock Theft Unit (ASTU) camp in Naibor in Laikipia County, at an event attended by the Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, senior security officers and local leaders led by area Governor Ndiritu Muriithi, Matiang’i said security teams have already taken over the 80,000- acre Kilmon farm that is owned by the Government and that has been a theatre of deadly clashes between armed herders from Laikipia and the neighbouring counties.

A GSU camp will be established at the farm to create a buffer zone between the two warring sides.

Meanwhile, private ranchers and pastoralists have been directed to register agreements on access to pastures with the County Government beginning next month to enable the government to enforce the pacts and arbitrate bloody disputes around their implementation.

“If you have an agreement with ranchers, that’s OK. But for the Government to be able to provide security, we want such agreements recorded and the terms registered with the County Government to help resolve disputes around them.” he said.

In an off-take deal brokered by the government, the Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), which is under the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF), will begin buying around 1,000 livestock weekly from next week in a bid to empower local communities.

The program will complement a similar one being implemented by the Laikipia County Government. 

“We urge pastoralists to take advantage of the offer to reduce their losses due to drought and improve the productivity of their livestock.” said Governor Muriithi.

Matiang’i also put on notice local politicians whom he accused of fanning violent clashes by sponsoring relocation and forceful displacement of residents to rearrange voter distribution in the area ahead of the 2022 general elections. 

He said the government will begin recruiting chiefs and assistant chiefs for new administrative units in the area, a move that will not only help contain the sponsored evictions but also decentralize security services.

“We must put an end to this balkanization. We will not allow wananchi to be hurt due to political positions. We will immediately arrest those encouraging election rearrangements through forced movements,” he said.

Leaders present blamed insecurity for the decline in tourism and the closure of hotels and lodges in the area, which have led to loss of jobs and revenue for the county.