Raila to dismantle white-owned ranches if he becomes President

dennis kibet

June 12, 2017 2:54 PM

The ranches have been under continued attacks by bandits leading to loss of lives.

Nasa leader Raila Odinga addresses a crowd at Kenyatta stadium in Maralal town in February 2017.

Nasa flag bearer Raila Odinga has vowed to dismantle the white-owned ranches in the restive Laikipia region if he is elected President in the August elections.

Raila blamed the ranchers and the government’s failure to manage the tourist lodges better with a “long-term solution” as having led to the violent land invasions of recent months, in which several people have been killed and properties destroyed.

Speaking to The Times, Raila said the ranches are too big and the people don’t even live there, they live in Europe and only come once in a while.

“There’s a need for a rationalisation to ensure that there’s more productive use of that land,” Raila is quoted.

Earlier this month, The Sosian Lodge in the county was closed indefinitely after continued attacks by bandits led to loss of lives and destruction of property worth millions of shillings.

Sosian Ranch was among other ranches and conservancies in Laikipia which had faced a series of invasions despite assurances by Kenyan government to restore order.

This month, two game rangers were shot dead in the county while on a mission to recover stolen cattle.

In April, the herders shot re-known author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann at her 100,000 acre Laikipia Nature Conservancy.

In March, herders shot and killed Sosian Ranch co-owner Tristan Voorspuy while he was inspecting a burnt lodge in the expansive 24,000 acre ranch.

At Sosian alone, the invaders have killed 13 elephants for their ivory.

Numerous other species, including the endangered Grevy's Zebra, Impala and Buffaloes have also been killed.

In April, the raiders managed to invade her conservancy despite the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces to flush out bandits and seize illegal guns used in the incessant raids.

dennis kibet