Roundup: Kenyan police intensify crackdown on raiders in restive Laikipia

Police said on Sunday that they have enhanced security operations in the restive Laikipia region of northwest Kenya after armed cattle herders shot and injured renowned conservationist and author Kuki Gallmann.

Earlier Sunday, Police Inspector General Joseph Boinett confirmed that the Italian-born Gallmann, who owns Laikipia Nature Conservancy, was attacked by three armed bandits.

Gallmann is now receiving treatment in Nairobi.

"We have mounted several operations to drive off illegal herders and have arrested a number of suspects including a local politician who is facing court charges for instigating arson attacks and incidents," Boinett said in a statement issued in Nairobi.

He said the ongoing security operations in Baringo and Laikipia counties have succeeded in driving out hundreds of illegal herders and thousands of their animals from several ranches, including Gallmann's Laikipia Nature Conservancy.

"We believe that the unfortunate attack this morning was staged by remnants of illegal herders, who are at the moment being sought for arrest and court action," he added.

Gallmann owns about 360 sq km in Laikipia, which is home to rare wildlife, birds and trees. Her organization also runs community, education, arts and sports projects.

He said the wiper operation will continue, noting that the police are under firm instruction to deal firmly with the remaining illegal herders throughout Laikipia county and parts of Baringo county.

"We also wish to caution certain politicians to refrain from making statements" that send confusing messages to members of public, Boinett added.

The attack on Gallmann came amid rising insecurity in recent months as a drought has led armed herders to seek out new pasture, pitting them against big landowners and smallholders.

Tens of thousands of cattle are thought to have been driven onto private land and at least a dozen people have been killed.

Laikipia Farmer's Association (LFA) condemned the attack on Gallmann. LFA chairperson Martin Evans said the attacks are being propagated by a "handful of inciters."

"For months, these criminals have been rampaging around with their illegal weapons, destroying lives and livelihoods," Evans said in Laikipia.

"We applaud the government's efforts to restore law and order. It is said that law enforcement officers have been subjected to the same wanton attacks as civilians while attempting to carry out their duties," Evans said.

He urged security apparatus to act swiftly to disarm militias and restore peace in the county. The farmers' group said the continued attacks are destroying the tourism business in the area.

"Many of the LFA's members are in the tourism business. We wish to explain that times are very tough for those whose properties are affected by the invasions."

The Interior Security Ministry also assured residents of Laikipia and Baringo counties as well as residents in all other parts of the country that it will do everything possible to ensure that law and order are preserved at all times despite efforts by criminal elements to undermine security.

"The government wishes to reassure the public, investors and the tourism industry that it will do everything possible within its power to ensure that security is maintained in all parts of the country at all times," the ministry said.

Armed pastoralists from the Pokot, Maasai and Samburu communities have reportedly attacked some of the white-owned ranches in Laikipia, threatening not just farming but the future of wildlife conservation in Kenya.

Gallmann's ranch is home to the largest concentrations of wildlife in the Laikipia ecosystem. The ranch is one of the biggest in the county.

Laikipia area is increasingly becoming a conflict zone as people and wildlife are killed with impunity, livestock stolen, houses razed and property looted. Endit