Seemingly unending herders-farmers clashes at Muthera farm

Some of the animals said to be invading farms in Muthera farm in Mau Narok. [PHOTO: HARUN WATHARI]

Tension is high at Muthera farm in Njoro after two people were injured in a clash involving two communities.

According to Njoro Deputy County Commissioner Arnold Lunalo, the injured are recuperating at the Nakuru County Level Five Hospital.

Mr Lunalo said the two were attacked by a group of armed herders at the farm that has been leased out to peasants.

"The attackers struck at around 6pm yesterday (Monday) as the farmers were spraying their crops. We are treating it as an isolated criminal act."

The residents of Mwisho wa Lami, who have leased the land for cultivation, responded by barricading the Mau Narok-Mwisho wa Lami road as they protested what they termed increased cases of insecurity in the area.

Police fired several times in the air to disperse the protesters, who had lit fires on the road.

Area Member of the County Assembly Jackson Gathua termed the incident unfortunate and a criminal act perpetrated by youth, but could not rule out land dispute.

“The farm has had problems related to ownership and management. I cannot rule out the land issue in the attack but again there has sporadic attacks perpetrated by criminals who steal from their victims,” Mr Gathua said.

A security meeting was yesterday held at Tipis trading centre led by Lunalo and his Narok North colleague, Ronald Mwiwawi.

The 4,292-acre farm has been at the centre of conflicts for years over its ownership and administration.

The farm in Mau Narok, Njoro sub-county, is part of an estate owned by the family of former Cabinet minister Mbiyu Koinange.

Although the estate was divided among Koinange’s two widows and 10 children by the High Court five year ago, the farm has witnessed bloody confrontations between the Maasai and Kikuyu.