The Governor of Samburu County has defended the county’s push for Ksh70 million in compensation, arguing that the government already acknowledged that a security operation that left hundreds of animals dead was a mistake.
Addressing the media on September 28, Governor Jonathan Lelelit said affected families deserve compensation after security officers killed livestock during an operation targeting insecurity in the region.
He maintained that the county was not seeking special treatment but accountability for losses suffered by residents.
According to the governor, the operation resulted in the deaths of 764 cattle, 116 goats and 83 donkeys.
He said the losses affected many households whose livelihoods depend entirely on livestock.
“The government itself admitted that what happened was an operational blunder. When such a mistake occurs, and innocent people suffer losses, there must be compensation,” he said.
Lelelit noted that a valuation placed the animals’ worth between Ksh80,000 and Ksh100,000 each, leading to the Ksh70 million compensation demand.
Governor on the State Taking Up Responsibility
The governor argued that compensation should not be viewed as an attempt to undermine security operations.
Instead, he said it was a matter of justice for families that lost their only source of income.
His remarks come amid an ongoing debate over security operations in northern Kenya, where authorities have intensified efforts to combat banditry and illegal possession of firearms.
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However, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has maintained that security operations will continue despite demands for compensation from local leaders and affected residents.
Lelelit insisted that supporting security efforts and compensating victims are not mutually exclusive.
He said residents have consistently cooperated with authorities and should not bear the cost of mistakes made during operations.
“The people of Samburu are not asking for favours. They are asking the government to take responsibility for a mistake it has already acknowledged,” Leleit stated.
The governor also linked the latest incident to what he described as a long history of injustices against pastoralist communities in Samburu.
He claimed that more than 5,000 cattle were taken from residents during the administration of former President Mwai Kibaki, while another 2,400 livestock were allegedly killed during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration.
According to Lelelit, many victims have never been compensated despite repeated appeals and legal efforts.
Calls for New Approach to Samburu Community
The governor expressed frustration with previous court battles, saying they failed to deliver meaningful compensation to affected families.
He argued that lengthy legal processes often benefit lawyers and advocacy groups while victims continue to struggle with the economic consequences of losing their livestock.
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Lelelit called for a new approach that would allow the government to directly engage affected communities and provide compensation where wrongdoing has been acknowledged.
At the same time, he reiterated the need for stronger measures to tackle insecurity in the region.
He supported the expansion of National Police Reservists and greater involvement of community elders in efforts to recover illegal firearms.
The governor said elders had previously helped security agencies recover weapons linked to criminal activities, showing the role local communities can play in restoring peace.
Even as the compensation debate continues, Lelelit said the focus should remain on both justice for affected families and the pursuit of lasting security in the region.
He maintained that once the government acknowledged the livestock killings were a blunder, it also accepted responsibility for the losses, making compensation the next logical step.
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