Kibaki nephew nursing injuries after attack at family ranch

Former President Mwai Kibaki's nephew was on Thursday evening shot and injured by suspected illegal grazers at the family’s vast Wambara Ranch on the outskirts of Rumuruti town in Laikipia County.

Mr John Wachira Mwai was rushed to the Nyahururu County Referral Hospital after the attack.

The former president's nephew sustained serious injuries on his right shoulder and left thigh, but he is in a stable condition.

Rumuruti OCS Mr Samuel Cheruiyot confirmed the incident and said preliminary investigations showed that the victim was shot at twice at close range.

He said that in the recent past illegal grazers have invaded private ranches in the area in search of pasture.

“The area has been a battle ground between grazers from Maralal, Baringo and Isiolo counties, who invade the ranches in search of pasture,” said Mr Cheruiyot.

Mr Cheruiyot said efforts to sensitize illegal grazers on the need to respect private land have been unsuccessful as they claim Laikipia is their land and have no regard for any ‘foreigner’.

He termed invasion of private ranches a serious security concern, adding that even police officers have continually been victims of the grazers who flout the law.

“Police officers were shot at and a number of them sustained injuries when they tried to intervene in an incident at Mutara Ranch last month,” he said.

A stakeholder’s forum will be confirmed soon to discuss the conflict to avert any further incidents.

Former Rumuruti town councilor John Elaman said that Mr Wachira was strict and did not entertain illegal grazers on the vast ranch that stretches miles into Nanyuki town in Laikipia east sub-County.

Former Laikipia West MP Mr Nderitu Muriithi, a first cousin to the victim, condemned the incident.

(Editing by Joel Muinde)