Herders grazing livestock in ranches. [Photo: nation.co.ke]Police have been accused of killing over 300 livestock belonging to pastoralist communities who have invaded private ranches in Laikipia County.

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The means was reportedly used to evict herders  from the ranches.

It has been, however, condemned by pastoralist community.

Ropulo Lanyasunya tweeted, “Continuous mass shooting, killing of Pokot and Samburu livestock in Laikipia county by government security forces is utterly atrocious.”

Another leader, John Lenkulate, said the law does not allow the police to kill animals as they try to evict people.

“This is unlawful and the government has to take action against the police officers who were involved in this exercise. We have lost thousands of animals in this unlawful operation called by the government,” he said.

Yesterday, Laikipia County Commander Simon Kipkeu confirmed that an unknown number of cattle was killed at Ratia area when the pastoral communities attacked the police on Wednesday.

He said the police were patrolling the private ranches in Ol Moran and Ratia and were attacked by the pastoralists when they tried to evict them.

“There was an exchange of fire between our officers and the pastoralists who were all armed. They were hiding among the livestock,” he said.

Kipkeu said the pastoralists destroyed an armoured vehicle, forcing the police to return fire in the two-hour encounter.