Relief for Ng’inyei residents as government pledges to open up public roads

Nanyuki,

Thursday, October 12, 2023

KNA by Muturi Mwangi

It’s a sigh of relief for Ng’inyei residents in Daiga Division, Laikipia East Sub County after the government pledged to open up all public roads closed by ranchers.

In the past week, residents had staged a protest alleging that a section of ranchers had closed down roads in the area which hindered them from accessing water from the nearby rivers for livestock and domestic use.

The locals also alleged that ranchers had threatened to evict them from their land and convert it into wildlife conservancies.

Laikipia East Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Muli speaking in Ng’inyei during a public baraza that had brought together residents, county officials and ranchers, said that all public roads that led to the rivers would be opened to ease the locals from the difficulty of accessing water.

“There has been a conflict between locals and investors here in Ng’inyei due to public roads. However, we have come to a conclusion that all public roads should be opened by next week so that residents can be able to access the rivers,” said Muli.

The administrator further pointed out that to prevent human-wildlife conflict, Loldaiga ranch had plans to install an electric fence to halt wild animals from encroaching private farms and at the same time stated clearly that the fence installation had not been halted as alleged.

Catherine Nyaruai, a resident lauded the government’s pledge to open up closed roads noting that they had suffered enough since the roads were closed down by the ranchers making it hard for them to access water from the rivers.

James Kagunya, a resident also reiterated the need to open up public roads but lamented that human-wildlife conflict was still a challenge that required urgent intervention.

Mount Kenya Trust, Conservationist Sussie Wicks said that they had right to their land and called on residents to respect their property to foster peace and harmony.

“We have rights to our land same as you (residents) and while accessing the river, do not trespass so that we can live in harmony. The roads lead to the cliff which makes it difficult to access water,” said Wicks, adding that they were concerned with the wellbeing and safety of residents.

The conservationist further said that they were committed on supporting community environmental led initiatives.

Courtesy; KNA