Excavator torched as Laikipia ranch attacks resume after lull

Police officers patrol the Laikipia Nature Conservancy in Laikipia West on March 30, 2017. An excavator was burnt down on Saturday night at ADC Mutara. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • According to a farm worker, the machine belonging to Mr Haji Musa, who has leased a section of the government land, was vandalised.
  • At Mugie Ranch in Laikipia North, a pregnant elephant was shot dead, bringing to 18 the number of jumbos killed by illegal herders this year.

Despite assurances by the State that hundreds of illegal herders have been flushed out of Laikipia County and about 10 government guns recovered, the armed herders continue causing mayhem.

On Saturday night, invaders at ADC Mutara in Laikipia West burnt an excavator.

According to a farm worker, the machine belonging to Mr Haji Musa, who has leased a section of the government land, was vandalised.

“The machine valued at Sh7.8 million had been brought at the farm to make trenches,” said the worker.

In similar attacks at Sossian and Ol Maissor ranches, security bases were vandalised by the illegal grazers.

A senior security officer at the farm said the fence had been repaired last week.

ELECTRIC WIRE

“They cut the electric wire, destroyed posts and also torched a security outpost in the boundary of our ranch and Samburu County,” said Mr Mohamed Abukur.

At Mugie Ranch in Laikipia North, a pregnant elephant was shot dead, bringing to 18 the number of jumbos killed by illegal herders this year.

“We were patrolling the ranch when we came across an elephant that could not get up,” said Mr Solomon Epokor, a security manager at the conservancy.

“On getting closer, we realised that it was dead.”

GREATLY AFFECTED

He said they had been greatly affected by the invasions since more than 80 wild animals have been killed in the invasions.

Rift Valley Regional Coordinator Wanyama Musiambo said more than 269 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attacks.

Hundreds of illegal herders have been flushed out of private conservancies and ranches and about 10 government guns recovered from bandits, he added.

According to Mr Musiambo, the government is determined to restore sanity in the area that has been hit by deadly attacks.

Armed herders invaded private land, ranches and conservancies most of which are owned by Kenyan citizens of British origin.