Italian conservationist shot in latest attack

dennis kibet

April 23, 2017 12:22 PM

Armed raiders attack

Kuki Gullman

Laikipia Nature Conservancy owner Kuki Gallmann was on Saturday night attacked and shot by armed raiders.

The raiders managed to invade her conservancy despite the deployment of KDF to flush out bandits and seize illegal guns used in the incessant raids.

Gallman was later rushed to Nanyuki Hospital before being airlifted to a Nairobi hospital on Sunday morning for specialised treatment.

Last month, a luxury safari lodge owned by Gallmann was burned down by suspected cattle herders.

Series of attacks

It was the part of a series of well co-ordinated attacks in the drought-stricken Laikipia region by suspected herders, who have been invading private property in search of fresh grazing.

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

In March also, a British man was shot dead on Sunday at a private ranch in the same area.

The herders invaded the Sosian Ranch and shot dead the British co-owner Tristan Voorspuy who was the majority shareholder and founder of Sosian conservancy.

There have been numerous attacks in the drought-stricken region of Laikipia in recent months as armed cattle herders searching for scarce grazing have driven tens of thousands of cattle onto private farms and ranches.

At least a dozen people have been killed in the string of attacks by armed herders.

dennis kibet