Inside Ol Doinyo Lemboro ranch, the grassland of death

The shooting of a 14-year-old boy at Ol Donyo Lemura Ranch in Laikipia County is a painful narration, one that evokes bitterness and wrath, both of a grieving family and a community left at loss.

It didn’t have to happen.

Peter Edung had just gone to visit his loving father when the unfortunate happened; a gunshot terminated his innocent life. 

It is a sad tale, a highlight of Laikipia and the people’s lifestyle, a place where rich ranch owners cohabit with impoverished families most of whom work in the ranches to earn a livelihood.

Ol Donyo Lemboro ranch neighbours Mpala, Sosian and Suyian ranches. British military allegedly carry their trainings here. There are 7,000 hectares at ODL available for UK military exercises. The terrain is rugged with valleys and dense acacia trees, providing a unique environment. 

In March 2021, British soldiers caused a fire that damaged around 40,000 square metres of grassland. The ranch is managed by Ivan Tomlinson who is of mixed African and British heritage.

Laikipia County is widely known as a haven for ranches that were once owned by foreigners but are now in the hands of Kenyan citizens. The ownership of these vast tracts of land has brought both opportunity and conflict to local communities.

For decades, many residents have benefited from employment opportunities provided by the ranches. However, the region has also experienced insecurity, largely linked to banditry attacks. Locals often attribute the rising cases of banditry to the expansive ranches, where stolen livestock is allegedly hidden.

Some of the prominent ranches in the area include Sossian Ranch, Suyian Conservancy, Roysambu, Impala, Ol Donyo Lemboro, Muktan Conservancy, and Ol Maiso Ranch, among others.

Despite the challenges, many residents acknowledge the benefits brought by these ranches. Mr Emurua Lokerere from Sossian notes that thousands of youths from Laikipia have secured employment in the ranches, providing much-needed job opportunities.

“However, conflicts arise when bandits hide stolen animals in the ranches. It becomes difficult to distinguish between bandits and local herders,” he explained.

One of the areas previously affected by insecurity is the Laikipia Nature Conservancy, now known as Muktan Conservancy, owned by Kuki Gallmann. In the past, bandits believed to be from Baringo County would steal livestock and hide them within the vast conservancy.

Five years ago, bandits killed one of the directors of Sossian Ranch, Mr Tristan Vourspuy in his ranch. Gallman was also shot on her stomach, forcing her to relocate to Nairobi.

In January 2022, illegal grazers started trooping to various ranches where they fed animals on the ranches. But the residents came to a mutual agreement that the locals feed on their farms. Since then security has calmed in the region

For many Laikipia residents, the name Muktan Conservancy was once synonymous with cattle rustling and insecurity. The 88,000-acre land was widely perceived as a hideout for stolen livestock. However, this narrative has significantly changed over the past three years.

This transformation followed the introduction of a community program known as Mshipi—meaning “belt”—aimed at uniting six surrounding communities; the Tugens, Kikuyus, Jemps, Pokots, Turkana, and others.

The program focuses on improving livelihoods by supporting various income-generating activities. These include livestock farming, wild avocado cultivation, beekeeping, sustainable charcoal production, and education initiatives.

Pastoralist communities living around the conservancy have been among the biggest beneficiaries. Through a mutual agreement, they are now allowed to graze their livestock within the ranch at a small fee. Additionally, a livestock fattening program has been introduced.

“So far, we have over 4,000 heads of cattle grazing in the conservancy,” said Sveva Gallmann, one of the directors. “Since the program began, cases of insecurity have dropped significantly.”

In the past year alone, more than 500 cattle have been fattened under the program, generating approximately Sh2.6 million, which was distributed among community members.

“They are now able to pay school fees and provide for their families,” said Ms. Gallmann.

The initiative has also created employment for about 90 community members.

“Youths are no longer engaging in cattle rustling. They are now actively involved in managing livestock. We are encouraged to see the Mshipi program bringing communities together,” she added.

Beneficiaries are also accessing social protection services such as NSSF and SHA through employment at the conservancy.

For Mr Peter Ngugi, an avocado farmer from Matuiku village, life has improved since the program’s introduction. He received avocado seedlings from the conservancy and has already made his first earnings.

“I earned over Sh200 from my first harvest. The perception that Muktan Conservancy was a curse has now changed. It is now a source of livelihood,” he said.

According to Mr Francis Mwai, an agronomist at the conservancy, over 100 farmers from Matuiku and Wangwachi areas—regions previously affected by banditry—have benefited from the initiative.

“This year, we are targeting a harvest of over 20 tonnes, which will significantly boost incomes in the surrounding communities,” he said.

Additionally, the conservancy has distributed beehives to more than 1,000 households under the Mshipi program, further expanding income opportunities.

Education has also received a boost through the establishment of the Land of Hope School.

“We currently have about 70 children enrolled in the pre-primary section, which is helping improve education levels in the community,” said Ms. Dolphine Maburi, the project lead.