Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit has called for negotiations with the national government to compensate families who have lost thousands of livestock in recent years. In an interview with Citizen TV's Monday Report, Lelelit stated that the latest killing of over 700 cattle in Samburu East, followed by the mass displacement of residents, is part of a long chain of unresolved grievances. He emphasized that these events are not isolated incidents, but rather a continuation of historical injustices.
Lelelit pointed to three episodes that have left Samburu pastoralists destitute. In May 2008, more than 5,000 cattle from Archer's Post and Losesia were herded through Waso Bridge and never returned. The animals were allegedly distributed to members of the public, leaving the owners with nothing. This incident, along with the 2017 to 2022 killings of over 2,400 Samburu cattle in Laikipia, and the recent September 2026 killings of over 700 cattle in Samburu East, have resulted in significant losses for the community.
The governor stressed that the current episode has particularly alarmed the community, as such killings were not expected under the present administration. He maintained that the earlier losses are documented and recalled past attempts to secure redress. After the 2008 losses, Lelelit facilitated a delegation of local councillors to travel to Nairobi and meet the then president. The group later filed compensation claims through lawyers, but the effort yielded no results.
Lelelit expressed frustration with the previous approaches, stating that lawyers and NGOs got involved, but the real victims received no compensation. This time, he said, the county will take a different route. Having consulted the affected families, Lelelit stated that many of them asked for a way to engage the government directly so they can be fairly compensated and rebuild their lives, without years of litigation.
The governor emphasized that efforts to pursue bandits must be balanced with the protection of innocent civilians. He noted that banditry and illicit firearms have troubled the region since the early years of independence. Lelelit also expressed concerns about the involvement of lawyers and NGOs in the past, stating that he does not want to go in that direction again.
Lelelit revealed that the three incidents amount to almost 8,000 animals lost. He demanded that the national government compensate the 43 families affected by the recent livestock killings. The governor's approach has been endorsed by the affected families, who are seeking a fair and direct engagement with the government.
The situation in Samburu East remains critical, with the displaced residents requiring urgent humanitarian support for health, food, and basic survival. The governor's call for negotiations with the national government is a significant development in the quest for compensation and redress for the affected families. The outcome of these talks will be closely watched by the community and other stakeholders.
Key points
- Samburu Governor Jonathan Lati Lelelit seeks talks with the national government to compensate families who lost thousands of livestock over the years.
- The governor pointed to three episodes of livestock killings, resulting in significant losses for the community.
- Lelelit demands that the national government compensate the 43 families affected by the recent livestock killings.
