By Betty Luke
The government is set to establish General Service Unit (GSU) camps near private ranches in Laikipia to prevent pastoralists from grazing their animals there.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiangi said the camps will create a buffer zone between Laikipia pastoralists and those in neighbouring Isiolo and Baringo counties and assist in dealing with the insecurity menace experienced in the area in the recent past.
While ordering herders who have invaded private farms to leave in a week’s time or face dire consequences, Dr Matiang’i warned of a major merciless crackdown after the lapse of the ultimatum.
“We are asking the herders who are in Laikipia illegally to leave in seven days and while they prepare to leave we are planning a serious crackdown,” Dr Matiangi said during a security meeting at Naibor in Laikipia on Wednesday.
“We are going to locate three security teams there including special units and we will start operating from there,” he added.
The CS ordered the security teams to immediately take over 80, 000-acre government-owned Kilmon farm where recent clashes between armed herders from the three counties have occurred resulting in the loss of more than five lives.
More than 200 animals belonging to Isiolo herders were last week allegedly killed by police officers and several houses torched during an operation to bar herders from crossing over into Loisaba ranch at the Isiolo-Laikipia border.
Residents and local leaders condemned the attack saying the animals were shot dead while grazing on the Isiolo side.
“If the animals could have invaded the ranch, they would have been shot dead inside the area,” Oldonyiro MCA David Lemantile said.
