Three widows narrate husbands' murder by illegal herders

Emotions ran high over the weekend as residents narrated how their loved ones were killed by illegal herders who invaded the county.

The locals, speaking to the Senate Committee on Security, said the herders had impoverished and rendered them homeless after taking over their farms. 

Among them were three widows - Eunice Siku, Linet Mwanjalak and Mwake Mathew - who gave graphic details of how their husbands were allegedly murdered by the herders. 

Ms Mwanjalak claimed her husband was beheaded in May last year by a camel herder. Local leaders, among them Senator Johnes Mwaruma, MP Jones Mlolwa and Deputy Governor Majala Mlagui, told the committee chaired by Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja that the herders had become untouchable.

They alleged that the herders were getting protection from some local State officials.

“The herders seem to be above the law. Local security agencies should be summoned by the Senate for interrogation because we want to know what they are doing about this issue," said Mr Mwaruma.

"We also want to know who the real owners of the livestock that is illegally grazing in people’s farms are.”

County Police Commander Said Kiprotich was at pains to explain why police were applying the law selectively.

“Why are these herders untouchable," posed Mr Sakaja. Mr Kiprotich said a total 61 herders had been arrested.