Tension is high in parts of Laikipia North following the killing of two people in a cattle rustling-related incident.
A woman and a man were killed within Naibor area in Sosian Ward as youths from two warring communities clashed forcing several families to flee their homes. A grade 3 pupil is nursing gunshot injuries.
Last week the attackers struck a manyatta in the Naibor area and made away with the livestock towards a neighbouring county.
This comes as cases of illegal grazing and livestock theft continue to be reported in the area.
However, security agencies in the area have moved in to quell the tension. Laikipia North Deputy County Commissioner Albert Mwaringa, area Member of Parliament Sarah Korere and former National Assembly Speaker Francis Ole Kaparo have led peace meetings bringing together elders from both communities at Naibor Amani primary school.
They challenged the elders to rally their young people to embrace peaceful coexistence and underscored the need for peace in realizing meaningful development in the region.
Mwaringa has issued a stern warning to anyone found inciting or participating in actions that could breach peace in the region.
The leaders blamed politicians for the perennial conflict that has hampered development in the area.
Laikipia County has suffered a series of attacks blamed on “bandits” and cattle rustlers where ranches and farms have been invaded with cattle illegally grazing on private land.
The incident coincided with President William Ruto’s visit to the region where he affirmed the government’s commitment towards coming up with a lasting solution to the conflict.
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