President Uhuru Kenyatta and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at a past event. [Photo|kahawatungu.com]
NASA leader Raila Odinga has condemned the mass killing of over 300 herds of cattle allegedly by police.
Raila termed the shooting and killing of cows at Ratia village in Laikipia County as economic sabotage against the pastoralist communities.
The animals encountered their deaths when police engaged herders who had invaded private ranches in search of pasture in the backdrop of severe drought.
Raila advised the President Uhuru Kenyatta-led administration to explore ways of minimising conflicts between herders and ranch owners.
"The government should negotiate with the pastoralists and reach an agreement if the livestock can be taken to Kenya Meat Commission (KMC) for slaughter instead of just shooting them," he said.
Addressing a press conference at Serena Hotel in Nairobi, he also called on the government to provide the herders with permanent means of sustaining their livestock during drought.
"The pastoralists should be given controlled access to the ranches that may have water and pasture during moments of drought," he added.
The Opposition leader further asked the Jubilee regime to immediately compensate the affected herders.