SAMBURU, Kenya — Samburu Governor Lati Lelelit has called on the national government to compensate 43 families whose livestock were allegedly killed during an ongoing security operation in Losesia last week.
Lelelit said he supports efforts by security agencies to restore peace in the area but condemned actions that result in the destruction of property and harm to innocent residents.
The affected pastoralists, accompanied by their leaders, reported the matter at Archers Post Police Station a week after the incident and called for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of their animals.
Images from the area showed dead cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep scattered across large stretches of land.
The 43 families said they had lost more than 700 animals and were seeking compensation from the government.
Governor Puts Losses At Sh70 Million
Governor Lelelit estimated the value of the livestock lost at about Sh70 million, saying the affected families were already struggling to provide food for their children.
“It is about 70 million total value. We have compensated coffee and tea farmers in billions. All we ask is that those people who are destitute, so that they can feed their children, should be compensated,” he said.
Elder Diba Lenanyankera condemned the killing of the livestock, saying it had brought shame to the country.
He questioned the rationale for shooting animals during the operation, arguing that livestock could not be responsible for criminal activity.
Waso Ward MCA Kelvin Lemantaan also criticised the operation, saying it was wrong to kill animals or shoot people indiscriminately.
More Than 15,000 Reportedly Displaced
Lelelit said the security operation had also forced thousands of residents to flee their homes amid heightened security concerns.
According to the governor, more than 15,000 people from Waso, Wamba East, Wamba West and Wamba North wards have been displaced.
He said security agencies should pursue criminals but argued that the majority of residents should not suffer because of the actions of a small number of suspects.
“Criminals must be pursued, but they are less than one per cent of our communities,” Lelelit said.
Residents have called for dialogue involving community leaders, the county government and security agencies to prevent further escalation of tensions and additional destruction of property.
The security operation followed a series of violent incidents involving suspected bandits operating along the Samburu-Isiolo border.
