Garissa herders say they will not pay for grazing fees that the county government of Isiolo intends to impose to the herders.
According to a bill drafted by Isiolo County government, it is meant to regulate on migration of animals that lead to conflicts.
Garissa herders have however rejected the drafted bill saying they will not pay.
They claim it is exploitation from the county government, something that they say will never work.
“Before this issue of counties and devolution came up, we used to herd freely and they too (Isiolo) would come and graze their animals here. I don’t see why we have to pay for this. This is exploitation especially with the drought, we can’t pay that,” says Hassan Abikar.
The bill will seek to manage the counties' resources by charging non-local herders, something Garissa herders find it bitter.
“They have also grazed in our fields and this has been going on over the years and we have never charged them. This is very absurd and they know that it won’t work,” says Osman Dakane.