National Super Alliance (NASA) leader Raila Odinga has issued three demands to President Uhuru Kenyatta following the killing of 300 cattle in Laikipia County on Wednesday.
Speaking during a press conference on Saturday, Odinga urged President Kenyatta to compensate the Maasai herdsmen at prevailing market rates for their livestock.
The NASA leader further called on the government to provide the pastoralists with permanent means of sustaining their livestock during drought including controlled access to the ranches that may have water and pasture during moments of drought.
Odinga also called on the government to develop a clear policy for co-existence between the ranchers and the pastoralists from whom the lands were taken.
Mr Odinga further accused the National Police Service of the crime which he noted threatens the livelihood of the pastoralists.
[caption caption="NASA Flag bearer Raila Odinga addressing media"]
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“The criminalization of pastoralism as a way of life must stop. This country must accept that it has pastoralists, farmers and other economic groupings and that together, all the groupings contribute to the economic well-being of the nation. No single economic activity must be viewed to be superior to the other,” Odinga stated.
“Nobody must be condemned to inferior livelihood and criminalized for their chosen way of progressing economically,” he added.
This comes after police officers killed over 300 livestock belonging to pastoralist communities who have invaded private ranches in Laikipia County.
Laikipia County Commander Simon Kipkeu stated the cattle was killed when the pastoral communities attacked the police.
Kipkeu stated that the pastoralists destroyed an armored vehicle, forcing the police to return fire in the two-hour encounter.
[caption caption="File image of cattle killed"]
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