Garissa herders intending to move with their herds to the neighbouring Isiolo County will soon start paying grazing fees as part of the new conditions to minimize livestock influx to the county.
Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo has said his county is experiencing a livestock surge from Garissa, Wajir, Samburu and Marsabit counties, a factor that he notes would deplete the scanty resources like water and pasture for local herders and even cause conflict of interests.
“Despite Isiolo County having experienced inadequate rainfall this year, a lot of livestock from neighbouring have migrated in and we are concerned that this situation is starting to cause heightened tension and conflict among pastoralist communities,” issued Governor Doyo.
Doyo added that the county department of Livestock affairs has already drafted a Bill which is set to be submitted to the County Assembly for approval. The Bill will seek to manage the county's resources by charging non-local herders streaming in to feed their animals.
Already, an impending conflict has been reported in parts of Isiolo South constituency with security agencies ruling out vacation of herders from the area.