KENYA: Herders Stone Vehicles In Laikipia, Dutch Tourists Escape Unhurt

Dutch holidaymakers was attacked by a mob of Pokot invaders at the Laikipia Nature Conservancy on Friday night.

Harm Duiker, head of Dutch development organisation SNV, together with six others, were confronted in their Safari vehicle by more than 10 Pokot youths armed with crude weapons, who blocked their way with boulders.

The youths threw stones at the tourists, smashing the vehicle’s windscreen and windows. The visitors escaped unhurt after an AP officer escorting them fired twice in the air, forcing the attackers to flee.

This is the latest in a string of incidents targetting foreign tourists in Laikipia, where private conservancies and farms are being invaded by thousands of Pokot and Samburu herders and their livestock.

Residents say politicians are inciting the violence.

A number of people were killed in 2016, many displaced and property destroyed.

Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta appointed Agriculture PS Richard Lesiyampe as mediator in the problems affecting the area.

Leaders have, however, said the situation does not need mediation or peace caravans, but total eviction of the herders.

Led by Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, the leaders met security officers and NCIC chairperson Francis ole Kaparo in Nanyuki last month to seek the way forward in restoring security.

During the meeting, Laikipia East MP Antony Mutahi blamed armed herders from Samburu, Baringo and Isiolo for the increased criminal activities.

“This is not a standoff that requires a mediator, all we want is for the government to flush out all these herders. They are grazing on privately owned ranches with total disregard to the owners.”

KENYA: UK Issues travel Ban Over Raid On Ranches In Laikipia

The British government has issued a travel warning to its citizens about visiting Laikipia County over recent invasions of private ranches by herders.

The warning follows reports of several attacks on ranches by armed herders, who have moved from neighbouring counties in search of pasture due to the prolonged dry season.

The warning issued late Tuesday states in part: “Following an extended period of drought, there’s been an increase in armed incursions on to private farms and wildlife conservation areas in the county of Laikipia in central Kenya, which some foreign visitors have been caught up in.”

The UK clarified that the travel warning does not restrict its citizens from travelling to the region.

Unlike a travel advisory, which would restrict all but essential travel, the warning, referred to as a "factual update" in diplomatic circles, gives the nationals freedom to decide whether or not to travel to the region, according to Stephen Burns, the British High Commission’s head of communication in Kenya and Somalia.

“In this instance a factual update has (been) issued. The UK has not issued a travel advisory against Laikipia county,” he said in a statement.

Herders burn lodge in a Laikipia ranch.
The latest attack by herders happened on Sunday at the Suyian ranch in Laikipia North.

A lodge at the ranch was closed indefinitely after one herder was shot dead during a fire exchange with police officers.

In his tour of Laikipia and Samburu counties recently, President Uhuru Kenyatta warned pastoralists against invading private ranches.

Most herders from Samburu, Isiolo, Baringo and West Pokot counties, among others, have invaded Laikipia in search of pasture and water as the drought continues to ravage most parts of Kenya.