Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang'i on Wednesday, July 28 commissioned officers from the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and special unit forces from the police to protect wealthy ranchers who have been in a protracted conflict with the native community in Laikipia County.
Matiangi has stated that his team will create a General Service Unit (GSU) camp in the area to protect the ranchers who include white settlers who raised the complaints during the meeting.
Speaking during a meeting with security officials in Naibor, Laikipia County, he issued a 7 -day ultimatum to private land invaders to leave the area.
The CS assured residents that they have already made plans with Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai to form a special unit that will flush out invaders.
Matiang'i ordered all the herders who had allegedly invaded private land to vacate within the stated ultimatum failure to which the government will forcefully eject them during the security operation.
"We are preparing a crack operation. It will be merciless and it will be very firm, please don't weep," Matiang'i announced.
In a period of six months, six people have been killed in connection with the land invasions in the area while eight have been left nursing serious injuries.
He further warned the political leaders against fanning violence in the area.
White billionaire settlers are the major landowners in the Laikipia area who have always faced threats from the locals who lay an ancestral claim to the land.
Kuki Gallmann, one of the most renowned faces of the conservancies that dot Laikipia County and the owner of the Laikipia Nature Conservancy, was in April 2017 attacked and badly wounded while patrolling her land.
President Uhuru Kenyatta condemned the killing ordering the then Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet to investigate the matter.
