The shooting and serious wounding of Mbelengo Mohare, OCPD Laikipia West, as he led an operation against illegal grazers on a Laikipia farm last night illustrates how far law and order has deteriorated in some areas, the Laikipia Farmers Association has said.
The association sends its sincere best wishes for Senior Superintendent Mohare's speedy recovery, and takes this opportunity to thank him, his officers, and other security units that are deployed to Laikipia to try to contain rising levels of violence in some parts of the region.
Senior superintendent Mohare was shot on February 7 as he directed officers on Kifuko Ranch, south of Rumuruti, which has been overrun with armed herdsmen for more than a month. The property's staff have themselves been shot at almost daily.
Martin Evans, chairman of the LFA, said: "We were very sad to hear that senior superintendent Mohare was seriously injured in the line of duty yesterday. We wish him a speedy recovery.
"We hope that the authorities recognise that for such a senior officer to be so badly wounded while trying to tackle these illegal herders illustrates quite how far the rule of law has collapsed in some parts of Laikipia. This is a situation that is not going to get better by being ignored."
Herdsmen from outside the region have forced tens of thousands of cattle onto private and community land in north and west Laikipia, many in search of pasture during dry weather but with elements among them politically incited to invade ranches. Pastoralist communities who neighbour many Laikipia ranches and who grazed their cattle with agreement on those properties have also been left destitute as what pasture remained has been destroyed.
At least 11 people have been killed in recent months, with many more injured, and large numbers of livestock stolen. The LFA fears ongoing insecurity risks the collapse of Laikipia's economy and threatens the jobs of more than 5,000 people.
Hours before, nominated Senator Paul Njoroge, from Nakuru, was arrested in Naivasha after shooting in public. Police are accusing him of misusing his firearm.