By Betty Luke
Police in Laikipia are on the spot over alleged killing of hundreds of cattle in Oldonyiro, Isiolo County.
Local leaders and residents have blamed the men in uniform carrying out an operation along the Isiolo-Laikipia border to bar herders from crossing over into a nearby Loisaba ranch for the killings of more than 200 cows in the last few days.
The police officers, residents claim, also torched tens of houses displacing hundreds of families and forcing them to seek asylum several kilometers away.
More than 12 school-going children and several herders are reportedly missing.
The residents said following tension, that continues to build up in the area, several families had fled their homes and asked the government to stop the atrocities.
Mr Nicholas Lolchuragi said the residents will be impoverished if the operation is not called off as the community relied on pastoralism as the source of livelihood.
“The government should come to our rescue because our source of livelihood is at stake,” said Mr Lolchuragi.
The locals said it was unfortunate that the government that was mandated to protect its people and their property was instead burning their homes and killing their animals.
Oldonyiro MCA David Lemantile said their killed animals did not cross over into the ranch as purported but were attacked while on the Isiolo side.
“If the animals could have invaded the ranch, they would have been shot dead inside the area,” Mr Lemantile said.
He maintained that the herders had no existing differences with the management of the ranch and that their continued harassment and use of excessive force by police officers was unnecessary.
Mr Lemantile and local residents demanded that the government compensates the affected families.
“The Ministry of Interior should move with speed and provide a lasting solution to the stalemate,” said Mr Patric Lenowasai.
Security bosses from Laikipia did not pick our calls when reached for comment.
