In an escalating dispute over grazing rights and security in Kenya’s arid northern regions, Samburu County Governor Lati Lelelit has staunchly defended his community’s nomadic pastoralists against calls for their eviction from Isiolo County’s Chari grazing zones.
The confrontation highlights deep-seated issues of resource scarcity, ethnic rivalries, and banditry that have long plagued the border areas between Samburu and Isiolo counties, threatening to ignite further violence in an already volatile landscape.
This latest flare-up comes on the heels of a deadly banditry attack that claimed two lives, prompting Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo to issue a 48-hour ultimatum for Samburu herders to vacate the area, a move Lelelit has branded as discriminatory an
The Spark: Banditry Attack and Isiolo’s Ultimatum
The tension ignited following a recent banditry incident in Isiolo North, where armed assailants attacked herders, resulting in two fatalities and heightening fears of retaliatory violence.
In response, Governor Guyo, during a visit to the affected villages in Chari ward, delivered a firm directive aimed at restoring order.
“Herders from the neighboring county must leave within 48 hours, and a buffer zone will be created to avert further conflict. This directive aims to prevent escalation and restore stability,” Guyo declared, emphasizing the need to protect local communities from cross-border incursions.
Isiolo leaders, including members of the Borana Council of Elders, have echoed Guyo’s stance, accusing migrant herders from Samburu of exacerbating insecurity and overgrazing local pastures.
They have also leveled allegations of bias against security agencies, claiming that enforcement favors Samburu interests in the ongoing disputes.
Such accusations are not new; similar claims have surfaced in previous conflicts, where local stakeholders argue that impartiality in policing is crucial to de-escalating tensions.
The call for eviction extends beyond Chari, with recent demands in Isiolo’s Merti sub-county for the removal of migrant herders, underscoring a pattern of resource-driven friction.
Samburu’s Rebuttal: A Defense of Equal Rights and Coexistence
Governor Lelelit swiftly countered these demands, visiting the border area of Kulu to rally his community and advocate for peaceful dialogue.
He argued that Samburu pastoralists possess equivalent grazing rights to those from Isiolo, Marsabit, and other adjacent regions, framing the eviction calls as targeted discrimination.
“Targeting one community of pastoralists for eviction is uncalled for. I am here to protect my people,” Lelelit asserted, stressing that his herders are in Isiolo solely for access to pasture amid persistent droughts.
He urged communities to embrace coexistence, highlighting the shared challenges faced by all nomadic groups in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs).
Lelelit’s position resonates with broader sentiments among Samburu leaders, who view such ultimatums as exacerbating ethnic divisions rather than addressing root causes like climate-induced resource shortages.
In a region where pastoralism is a way of life for thousands, the governor’s defense underscores the nomadic nature of herding, where boundaries are fluid and survival depends on mobility across counties.
Historical Context: A Legacy of Resource Scarcity and Ethnic Strife
The current standoff is emblematic of longstanding pastoralist conflicts in northern Kenya, particularly between Samburu and Isiolo communities, which include ethnic groups such as the Samburu, Borana, Turkana, and Meru.
These tensions trace back decades, fueled by competition over scarce water and grazing lands in the ASALs, where droughts—intensified by climate change—force herders to migrate across borders.
Historical analyses reveal that conflicts often escalate during dry seasons, with cattle rustling, banditry, and ethnic violence leading to displacements and massacres.
In Isiolo County, a multi-ethnic hub, disputes have been aggravated by political events, such as the 2007 elections, which deepened rifts between communities like the Turkana and Borana.
Samburu County, similarly, grapples with undercurrents of destructive conflicts driven by resource access, mutual animosity, and the marginalization of pastoralists.
Recent invasions into neighboring Laikipia County by Samburu herders, spurred by severe droughts, have led to armed clashes and highlighted the broader crisis of blocked grazing corridors due to infrastructure projects like LAPSSET and private ranches.
Moreover, conservation efforts and carbon credit schemes have been criticized for restricting traditional herding routes, pushing communities into conflict zones and fueling accusations of neocolonial exploitation.
Environmental factors, including wildfires in Isiolo that destroy pastures, further compel herders to encroach on restricted areas, risking escalation.
Community Voices and Broader Implications
Local voices reflect a mix of frustration and calls for unity. Borana elders, such as Mohammed Konso Hallo, have publicly decried perceived biases in security responses, while Samburu representatives emphasize the cultural and economic value of pastoralism, which contributes significantly to Kenya’s tourism through vibrant traditions.
Initiatives like borehole projects in Isiolo have shown promise in reducing resource conflicts by providing reliable water points, allowing herds to thrive without migration into contested zones.
However, the implications of unchecked tensions are severe. Assessments indicate medium-to-high risks of electoral violence in these counties, with potential for broader instability affecting national security and economic development.
Non-governmental organizations, such as the Regional Pastoralists Peace Link, have facilitated dialogues between clan elders and security actors to bridge divides, but sustained government intervention is needed.
Path Forward: Dialogue, Policy, and Sustainable Solutions
As the 48-hour deadline looms, both governors have signaled openness to talks, with Lelelit’s border visit promoting coexistence.
Experts advocate for comprehensive strategies, including climate-resilient infrastructure, equitable land policies, and inclusive peacebuilding to address root causes like pastoralist marginalization.
Without such measures, the cycle of eviction threats, banditry, and ethnic strife risks perpetuating hardship for Kenya’s pastoralist communities, whose livelihoods are integral to the nation’s cultural heritage and food security.
This ongoing saga in Samburu and Isiolo serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for balanced governance in Kenya’s fragile ASAL ecosystems, where survival hinges on shared resources and mutual respect.
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