Two men have been killed by herders who had invaded their farms and drove hundreds of livestock into their farms prompting the fatal confrontation in Ol Moran area of Kirima Sub County, Laikipia.
Laikipia County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri said that the armed herders forcefully drove their animals into farms in the area and a confrontation between them and farmers who were protesting grazing of their crops turned tragic after one farmers was speared on the chest while the other was clobbered on the head.
“The incident happened three days ago at Gathanji village where hundreds of herders have invaded local farms to graze animals. Our officers have been deployed to repulse the invaders believed to emanate from a neighbouring county to escape from the current drought,” he said.
Speaking on Wednesday at his Nanyuki office, the County Commissioner also revealed that recruitment of National Police Reservists (NPR) was currently ongoing in the areas affected by banditry in the county as another way of beefing up security.
“Recruitment of NPRs is currently ongoing in the affected areas where they will be trained, kitted, and equipped with firearms to beef up the operations of Kenya police,” Kanyiri said.
Tension is now high in the area as locals have vowed not to let the invading herders set foot on their farms with their animals.
The CC called on leaders in the area to de-escalate communal tensions between different ethnic groups but instead preach peace.
Meanwhile, security personnel in Rumuruti township recovered 100 sheep stolen from a local farmer two days ago and arrested three suspects who were transporting 22 of them.
Kanyiri said that the suspects were nabbed at night in Rumuruti area by police following a tip-off from members of the public and upon interrogation, they led the officers to where they had hidden the remaining animals.
“Our officers received a report that 100 sheep had been stolen from a homestead the night prior to the arrest and therefore laid ambush on major roads in the area at night with a view of recovering the animals. At night they bumped into the suspects transporting some of the sheep,” Kanyiri said.
The County Commissioner noted that cases of livestock theft were on the increase in the area and urged members of the public to be on the lookout for people transporting suspected animals, especially at night.
He singled out a recent case a week ago when angry members of the public set ablaze a Toyota probox vehicle found transporting nine sheep believed to have been stolen at Ruai village. The suspect was however handed over to police after a thorough beating.
“We urge members of the public not to take the law onto their hands but instead report any suspected case and let authorities handle the matter from there,” he said.
Owners of the stolen sheep identified them at Ruai police station and were allowed to go back to their farms with them.
