A Laikipia ranch owner was ambushed by unknown assailants while heading to church on January 21.
Lucy Jennings Wambui is reported to have been heading to church at around 8 am when unknown assailants armed with guns attacked and shot her.
Wambui was shot in the back of the head and the arm.
She was immediately rushed to Rumuruti Sub-County Hospital before being referred to another health facility for treatment.
Meanwhile, Wambui's family read malice in the incident even as they attribute the incident to a tussle over the expansive Jennings Farm.
Miriam Kokoi, Wambui's aunt, detailed that the businesswoman inherited the farm from her parents.
Kokoi explained that the farm was owned by a foreigner, Jennings, who married married Wambui's mother. At the time of the duo's demise, the property was left to the 50-year-old woman.
However, she claimed that landgrabbers had since been eyeing the vast farm with the attack on the 50-year-old seen as an assassination attempt.
"I was even raised at the ranch. When they died, they left the property to the children including Wambui. All has been well until land grabbers came to the land," she lamented.
Rumuruti Business Community Chairman Fredrick Mwangi also echoed Kokoi's sentiments, revealing that the businesswoman had expressed fears for her life.
He insisted that the attackers had followed the daily schedule and knew she would be going to church that Sunday morning.
"Some people have already invaded her land and they have refused to leave. The government was even involved in the matter but she has not been able to get the justice she deserves.
"How are we supposed to stay in the area when we are being attacked daily? Last year, we did not even plant anything. This is not an accident. It was well planned. They knew she goes to church at 8 am," the chairman stated.
Police are yet to make arrests over the matter.
Laikipia has witnessed frequent clashes with ranchers being targetted by land grabbers.
These cases of insecurity with additional bandit attacks have seen the government deploy the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to the area.
