SAMBURU – Pastoralist elders from Isiolo, Marsabit and Laikipia Counties are pursuing compensation and an apology from Britain over colonial land grabbing and atrocities.
This was reached during a Council of Elders meeting from the three counties that ended Monday, August 24, at Kisima Primary School near Kisima, Samburu County.
Council Patron Richard Leyagu told a meeting that the council had received a letter from the British Government through the British High Commission in Kenya and will follow it up to its conclusion.
Leyagu said the Samburu community was evicted from parts of Laikipia by colonialists, a move that has entrenched poverty.
The meeting also flagged insecurity, abductions, leadership, land grabbing, corruption and harmful cultural practices as major challenges facing pastoralist communities.
The elders resolved that children must be taken to school as per the Constitution, with parents and the community tracking their education, and that positive traditions be restored while retrogressive practices are ended.
Isiolo Council of Elders Chairman Lobe Lemantile said corruption in Samburu County must end, noting graft has delayed development in education and health.
They asked the National Government to stop illicit alcohol and drugs from entering pastoralist counties and to establish a university in Samburu to create jobs, expand access to higher education and reduce poverty.
On leadership, they said aspirants must seek guidance and blessings from the council before assuming office, and that former leaders should not return to county leadership.
On peace, they urged security agencies to collaborate with elders to find lasting solutions to conflicts in parts of Samburu, stressing cooperation between elders, youth, women and government is key to peace, development and preservation of culture.
