BATTLING FOR PASTURE

Tension in Laikipia between herders and ranch owners boiled over during this year’s punishing drought.

In Mugie ranch, for example, our crew was shown the carcass of the wild animals, shot by marauding herders. In Laikipia conservationist Kuki Gallmann was shot in the stomach after her vehicle was stopped by a roadblock.

Cattle rustling and conflict over pasture are common in Kenya, but not on this scale. The actions of the herders, politicians and the unscrupulous businessmen spell disaster for the environment.

But there are genuine historical grievances here. More than half of the pastureland is in private hands and the local population is growing with few means to survive.

Website by Appropriate. Photos by Andrew Tkach and Africa Uncensored.