The High Court has ordered the Government to stop seizing or killing livestock belonging to pastoralist communities in Laikipia County.
Justice John Mativo issued the interim orders in a case filed by former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel and Laikipia County Assembly Speaker Lenas Loshore against Inspector-General of Police Joseph Boinnet, acting Interior CS Fred Matiang'i and Attorney-General Githu Muigai.
Mativo stated: “An order is hereby issued and is directed to the sued parties to cease confiscating, killing and seizing livestock belonging to pastoralist communities within Laikipia."
He further directed that IG Boinnet, CS Matiang'i and Muigai be issued with copies of the case document by Tuesday.
The Judge affirmed that the ruling was in line with the stipulations of the Constitution.
[caption caption="Judge John Mativo"]
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He stated: “I find and hold that it would be consistent with the Constitution to grant the orders as requested.
“The fundamental duty of the Constitution is to uphold the law and I find it deserving to grant the interim orders,” Mativo declared.
Lempurkel hit out at the state for allegedly protecting the interests of unnamed people who are known to them.
"Using a PSC armored vehicle to kill all those cows, where is the owner? We have been living there more than 50 years, we don't know who is the owner," he posed.
They produced photos of the dead and injured cattle as evidence of what they termed 'wanton killing by the state'.
Pending the full hearing and determination of the matter, the court also ordered that the case be transferred to the Nanyuki High Court.
[caption caption="Former Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel"]
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