Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto's government of mistreating the Maasai community. He alleged that police shot dead scores of cattle belonging to pastoralists in Samburu County. Gachagua made these claims while speaking from Texas, in the United States. He received calls from members of the Maasai community in Samburu, Narok, and Kajiado, who expressed their grievances and what he described as their suffering.
Gachagua claimed that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen deployed police officers to Samburu, who then shot and killed cattle belonging to the Maasai community. He described the killing of the animals as a grave insult and a deliberate attempt to show the community that it does not matter to the government. The former Deputy President said the community felt betrayed by leaders they had elected, whom they accused of failing to speak up for them.
Gachagua alleged a broader pattern of land seizures affecting Maasai communities. He claimed the government had taken land belonging to Maasai clans at Kibiko. Additionally, he alleged that land at Amboseli in Kajiado had been taken from residents despite an earlier court order requiring it to be returned to them. Gachagua also mentioned that Maasai land in Narok had been taken to build a hotel located along a wildlife migration route.
The former Deputy President criticised Samburu's leadership, saying residents were unhappy that their governor and elected representatives had remained silent instead of speaking out on their behalf. He said the same applied in Narok, while in Kajiado, he said only the governor had attempted to raise the issue and had faced intimidation as a result. Gachagua named the area's senator as among those who had spoken up.
Gachagua linked the alleged land seizures to mineral deposits, claiming that some of the affected land in Samburu, Narok, and Kajiado contains minerals, including lithium. He alleged that this was a motive behind the government's actions. The former Deputy President said he intends to return home next month to meet with the affected communities to discuss the matter further.
Gachagua said the affected communities had appealed to him directly to speak out and to tell President Ruto and his government that they had "had enough" over the shooting of the cattle. He described the incident as a grave injustice and called for action to be taken. The Maasai community has not received basic services such as roads and water despite these grievances.
The issue has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for action to be taken to address the grievances of the Maasai community. Gachagua's claims have also raised questions about the government's handling of land seizures and mineral extraction in the region. Key issues have been raised regarding the treatment of the Maasai community and the alleged misuse of power by the government.
Key points
- Gachagua accuses government of killing Maasai cattle in Samburu County.
- Former Deputy President alleges broader pattern of land seizures affecting Maasai communities.
- Gachagua links land seizures to mineral deposits, including lithium.
