AT KIFUKU, a cattle ranch in Kenya, the dry-stone walls are reminiscent of England; by the farmhouse, a pair of boats sit on an artificial lake. The farm has, however, been anything but calm of late. Since September dozens of cattle-ranchers, some with assault rifles, have driven their cattle onto the farm’s 8,000 acres (3,238 hectares) of grass. Buildings have been wrecked, staff beaten up and a police officer shot and injured. “We’re all extremely tired and frustrated and short-fused [and] scared,” says Maria Dodds, the owner. By February 12th relief had arrived, in the form of an armoured car filled with policemen.
The invasion of Kifuku farm is one of a series that have taken place since 2013 across Laikipia County, a fertile plateau between Kenya’s central highlands and arid north (see map). Much of it is covered by private ranches and nature conservancies owned by white Kenyans such as Mrs Dodds and international investors. The attacks appear to have escalated in recent weeks. A tourist lodge was burned down on the Suyian Ranch on January 29th; visitors had to be evacuated from the Mugie Conservancy earlier in the month after a staff...Continue reading
Source: Middle East and Africa http://ift.tt/2lSsKea
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