Governor Lelelit demands compensation for 43 families after livestock killed in security operation

While supporting efforts to restore peace and security in the area, the governor strongly condemned actions that result in the destruction of property and harm to innocent civilians.

Pastoralists who lost animals, accompanied by their leaders, reported the matter at Archers Post Police Station a week after the incident. They are demanding thorough investigations into the circumstances in which the animals were killed.

Images from the area show dead cattle, donkeys, goats and sheep scattered across vast tracts of land. The 43 families say they lost more than 700 animals and are now demanding compensation from the government.

Elder Diba Lenanyankera said the killing of the animals brought shame on the whole country. He argued that a thief does not stay on the road, and that shooting at livestock made no sense because "a cow does not speak."

Governor Lelelit put the value of the losses at about Sh70 million, and said the affected families were destitute and needed support to feed their children.

"It is about 70 million total value. We have compensated coffee and tea farmers in billions. All we ask is that those people who are destitute, so that they can feed their children, should be compensated," he said.

Waso Ward MCA Kelvin Lemantaan also criticised the operation, saying it was wrong to kill animals and shoot people indiscriminately.

According to the governor, the operation has forced thousands of residents to flee their homes over security concerns. He said more than 15,000 people from the Waso, Wamba East, Wamba West and Wamba North wards have been displaced.

Lelelit said criminals must be pursued, but stressed that they make up less than one per cent of the communities and that the majority should not suffer because of a few people.

Residents have called for dialogue involving community leaders, the county government and security agencies to prevent further escalation of tensions and more destruction of property.

The operation followed a series of violent incidents involving suspected bandits operating across the Samburu-Isiolo border.