Elders from the troubled Laikipia North constituency have accused poor leadership on the ongoing invasions where herders from neighbouring counties have brought a state of lawlessness in the region.
The elders accused area MP Mathew Lempurkel of working with his fellow legislators from Samburu County to incite the herders to take up private ranches owned by Kenyans of European origin.
Led by former Laikipia County Council Chairman Samson Ole Montu they want the residents to vote out leaders who have brought turmoil in the region that has remained peaceful.
Addressing the media at Il Polei after a meeting that brought together for sub tribes from the region which include Mumunyot, Makurian, Ildigiri and Il ng’wesi Montu noted that Laikipia is now at the fate of leaders from Samburu who have taken control of the herders and have stamped the ground that they will not move from the ranches despite heavy security force that has been conducting an operation to evict them.
Lampurkel has been quoted in a section of the media blaming the killing of one moran by security officers at Suyian Ranch noting that the life cannot be compensated but property destroyed can be replaced.
This has not gone down well with the authorities and the elders who believe such a statement should not come from a leader putting into consideration that the shot herder invaded private property while armed and started looting.
The elders declared full support for nominated MP Sarah Lekorere to run for the MP’s seat in the general election.
They urged other communities in the region to come together and reclaim the constituency that has only experienced chaos only one term after it was created.
They noted that they will not be cowed by retrogressive cultures that a woman cannot be a leader in the region by electing Lekorere.
