Livestock herders from the Maasai community in Naivasha sub-county have been warned against grazing their cattle on private farms especially during this dry season.
Addressing pastoralists on Friday at Narasha village, Naivasha sub-county commissioner, Abraham Kemboi said that he will not allow herders to invade private property in the name of looking for pasture for their animals.
He called on pastoralists to seek alternative means of fending for their animals as the shortage of pasture begins to bite in the area.
“In the past, we have been having complains of herders invading private property to graze their animals and this has created a lot of conflicts in this area and I want to direct that no one should be found invading private property with the excuse of looking for pasture,” said the officer.
“If you want to graze your animals on someone’s land then please make sure you first get permission from the property owner,” said Kemboi.
Kemboi said that animals found to be grazing on private land without permission will be confiscated and the owners arrested.
“For those who will violate this directive, we will take your animals and you will be taken to court. We don’t want any conflict during this dry season and for those who know they don’t have enough pasture for their animals then they must look for an alternative solution,” he said.
In the past, there have been endless conflicts between farmers and pastoralists in Naivasha, who have clashed over land with pastoralists invading private farms to graze their animals especially during the dry season.