Image copyright AFP Image caption A luxury safari lodge owned by Ms Gallmann was burned down last month

Renowned Italian-born conservationist Kuki Gallmann has been shot and injured in an ambush at her conservation park in central Kenya.

The author of the best-selling memoir I Dreamed of Africa was airlifted to hospital for treatment.

Ms Gallmann, 73, owns the Laikipia Nature Conservancy.

She also ran a luxury safari lodge that was burned down last month by suspected cattle herders, who have been in conflict with landowners.

Herders have been invading private property in search of fresh grazing in the drought-stricken Laikipia region.

British rancher Tristan Voorspuy, who also ran a safari company, was shot dead in early March while inspecting his lodges in Laikipia.

Are Kenya ranch invasions driven by drought or politics?

There is no confirmation of who carried out the attack on Ms Gallmann, who was reportedly shot in the stomach.

She was flown by helicopter to hospital in Nairobi to undergo treatment.

Image copyright The Star, Kenya Image caption The attack in March left Mukutan Retreat in ruins

Ms Gallmann owns about 360 sq km in Laikipia, which is home to rare wildlife, birds and trees. Her organisation also runs community, education, arts and sports projects.

She moved to Kenya in 1972 with her husband and son who both later died in separate accidents. She later became a Kenyan citizen.

I Dreamed of Africa was turned into a film starring Kim Basinger.

The arson attack on Ms Gallmann's Mukutan Retreat last month left it in ruins. There were no visitors staying at the time.

Police believed that attack may have been in retaliation for a police operation that killed 100 cattle in the conservancy.

The herders accused police of trying to force them off the land by shooting their livestock. Police say the livestock were killed in crossfire with the herders, who were using the animals as shields.

Laikipia, which covers about 10,000 sq km in Kenya's central highlands, is where some of the country's largest white landowners are based.

Insecurity has risen sharply in recent months as the drought has led armed herders to seek out new pasture, pitting them against big landowners and smallholders.

Tens of thousands of cattle are thought to have been driven on to private land and at least a dozen people have been killed.

The BBC's Alastair Leithead tried to approach herders last month to ask about their grievances, but was forced to retreat when they shot at him.</s>Kuki Gallmann, the environmentalist and author of the bestselling autobiography “I Dreamed of Africa,” was shot and severely injured in an attack at the conservation park she owns in Kenya.

The BBC reports that Gallmann, 73, was airlifted to a hospital in Nairobi after being shot in the stomach in an ambush-style attack at the Laikipia Nature Conservancy in central Kenya. She underwent surgery and is in stable but critical condition.

The shooting may have been the work of herders affected by a drought, who have taken to invading private property in order to graze their cattle, the Washington Post reports. The movement of cattle has become politicized, some say, in the lead-up to an August election. Resort buildings on Gallmann’s Laikipia Nature Conservancy were burned in March, and another property owner has been killed.

No arrests have been made in Gallmann’s shooting, but two possible suspects were killed by security guards, and a gun that may have been used to shoot her has been recovered.

The daughter of Italian mountaineer and novelist Cino Boccazzi, Gallmann moved to Kenya in 1972 with her family. She elected to stay in the country even after her husband was killed in a car accident in 1981 and her teenage son died after being bitten by a snake three years later.

She made her literary debut in 1991 with the memoir "I Dreamed of Africa," which was adapted into a movie in 2000 starring Kim Basinger as Gallmann.

Gallmann was driving with Kenya Wildlife Service rangers, assessing the damage caused by the arson, when she was shot.

Uhuru Kenyatta, the president of Kenya, condemned the shooting in a statement.

"Politicians encouraging invasions of privately-owned property or attacks on individuals can expect strong deterrent action in terms of the law," he said.</s>An Italian-born author and conservationist was shot at her Kenyan ranch by cattle herders, officials said Sunday.

Kuki Gallmann, known for her bestselling book "I Dreamed of Africa", was ambushed and shot in the the stomach, police said.

The 73-year-old was with rangers on her way to assess damage to her property after arsonists had burned down a retreat on her land.

She was driven to an airport and airlifted to hospital.

Ms Gallmann's daughter says her mother is able to speak despite the shooting.

Violence has surged because of a drought, which has affected half the country and been declared a national disaster.

Many cattle herders involved in the violence are searching for pasture to save animals from drought and there have been conflicts over grazing land in which more than 30 people have died.

Kenya's military and police have been working to disarm and drive the hundreds of herders and their animals out of ranches they've invaded, but their actions appear to have escalated the violence.

When the military and police drive herders from one ranch they move into another, the farmers' association said.

British national and ranch owner Tristan Voorspuy was killed last month when he went to inspect damage done by the herders on one of his lodges.

Martin Evans, head of the Laikipia Farmers' Association, said: "Dozens of people have been killed or wounded and subjected to robbery and vandalism of their property.

"Kuki is a world-famous author and conservationist - but the LFA urges sympathy for all."

Many of the ranches, some of which double as wildlife conservancies, were acquired during the period of British colonial rule, some as early as 1900, according to a government report. Others were purchased after Kenya became independent in 1963.

The Foreign Office advises travellers to "check the latest situation" as it notes "the central county of Laikipia has seen numerous invasions by cattle herders onto privately held ranches and conservancies, in some cases leading to violence and arson".</s>Gallmann was shot at her Kenyan ranch and airlifted for treatment after herders invad... . British High Commissioner Nic Hailey, left addresses the media, with Laikipia County commissioner Onesmus Musyoki, right, in Nanyuki, Kenya, Monday, April 24, 2017, after the envoy met the security team, a day after renowned ... NAIROBI, Kenya - Two suspects were killed by security agencies after the shooting of Italian-born author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann, Kenya's Internal Security Minister Joseph Nkaissery said Monday.

Start the conversation, or Read more at KFBB.</s>The Italian-born author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann was shot at her Kenyan ranch and airlifted for treatment after herders invaded in search of pasture to save their animals from drought, officials said Sunday. Gallmann, known for her bestselling book "I Dreamed of Africa," which became a movie by the same name starring Kim Basinger, was patrolling the ranch when she was shot in the stomach, local police chief Ezekiel Chepkowny said.

Start the conversation, or Read more at The Chronicle-Journal.</s>NAIROBI, Kenya — Two suspects were killed by security agencies after the shooting of Italian-born author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann, Kenya’s Internal Security Minister Joseph Nkaissery said Monday.

A gun was recovered after Sunday’s attack and was being examined to see if it was used to shoot Gallmann in the stomach, Nkaissery told The Associated Press. Other suspects are in custody, he said.

Gallmann was shot while patrolling her ranch, which recently was targeted by arsonists amid tensions with herders seeking pasture as Kenya’s drought worsens. She was reported to be in stable condition after surgery.

The local farmers’ association has said suspicion over the attack has fallen on herders who have invaded Gallmann’s ranch several times.

Kenya’s drought affects roughly half the country and has been declared a national disaster More than 30 people have died in conflicts over grazing land as herders try to save their animals and livelihoods.

The U.S. ambassador to Kenya, Robert F. Godec, condemned Sunday’s attack, saying that “violence is never the answer.”

Both the herders and large-scale farmers in parts of Kenya’s Rift Valley have been desperately waiting for seasonal rains that were to start last month to ease the drought.

Kenya’s military and police have been working to disarm and drive the hundreds of herders and their animals out of ranches they’ve invaded, but their actions appear to have escalated the violence. When herders are driven from one ranch they move into another, the Laikipia Farmers Association has said.

The association has accused politicians campaigning for the August elections of inciting herders to invade the ranches, saying the owners’ leases have come to an end and that herders can take over the land and distribute it among themselves. Kenya’s government has not responded to the accusation.</s>Gunmen shot and wounded Italian-born conservationist Kuki Gallmann at her conservation park in northern Kenya on Sunday, a source close to her family said.

The 73-year-old author of the memoir 'I Dreamed of Africa' was shot in the stomach after the vehicle she was driving in was ambushed by a group of gunmen, the source said.

"She has been shot in the stomach," the source said.

Gallmann was flown by helicopter to Nanyuki Hospital where she is undergoing treatment.

A wave of violence has surged in Kenya's drought-stricken Laikipia region in recent months as armed cattle-herders searching for scarce grazing have driven tens of thousands of cattle onto private farms and ranches from poor quality communal land.</s>NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) - The Italian-born author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann was shot at her Kenyan ranch and airlifted for treatment after herders invaded in search of pasture to save their animals from drought, officials said Sunday.

Gallmann, known for her bestselling book "I Dreamed of Africa," which became a movie by the same name starring Kim Basinger, was patrolling the ranch when she was shot in the stomach, local police chief Ezekiel Chepkowny said.

Her driver also survived the attack and drove her to the airport in Laikipia, where she was airlifted to the capital, Nairobi, for further treatment, Chepkowny said.

Richard Constant, the deputy chairman of the Laikipia Farmers Association, said suspicion falls on herders from the Pokot community who have invaded Gallmann's ranch several times. Lodges belonging to Gallmann were burned by the herders last month.

This East African nation is facing a drought that has affected half the country and has been declared a national disaster.

Herders and large-scale farmers in parts of Kenya's Rift Valley have been desperately waiting for seasonal rains that were to start last month to ease the drought and conflicts over grazing land in which more than 30 people have died.

Kenya's military and police have been working to disarm and drive the hundreds of herders and their animals out of ranches they've invaded, but their actions appear to have escalated the violence. The Laikipia Farmers Association says when the military and police drive herders from one ranch they move into another.

The association's deputy chairman has accused politicians campaigning for the August elections of inciting the herders to invade the ranches, saying the owners' leases have come to an end and that herders can take over the land and distribute it among themselves.

The land invasions started late last year. British national and ranch owner Tristan Voorspuy was killed last month when he went to inspect damage done by the herders on one of his lodges.

Many of the ranches, some of which double as wildlife conservancies, were acquired during the period of British colonial rule, some as early as 1900, according to a government report. Others were purchased after Kenya became independent in 1963.

This version corrects the last name to Gallmannn.</s>Gunmen shot and wounded Italian-born conservationist Kuki Gallmann at her conservation park in northern Kenya on Sunday, a source close to her family said.

The 73-year-old author of the memoir I Dreamed of Africa was shot in the stomach after the vehicle she was driving in was ambushed by a group of gunmen, the source said.

Gallmann was first flown by helicopter to Nanyuki Hospital, where she received treatment, but was later transferred to another hospital in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

A wave of violence has hit Kenya’s drought-stricken Laikipia region in recent months as armed cattle-herders searching for scarce grazing land have driven tens of thousands of cattle onto private farms and ranches from poor quality communal land.

At least 14 people have been killed.

Some local Kenyan farmers have also been attacked and had their livestock stolen.

The source also told Reuters a local Kenyan, Duncan Murimi, was shot in the stomach by militias from the local Pokot tribe and died three days ago in the same area.

The militias stole nothing from him and had no cattle looking for grass when they attacked him.

Last month, Tristan Voorspuy, a British military veteran who ran a safari company in Kenya, was shot dead at a private ranch in Laikipia.

He had gone to the ranch to inspect the remains of a friend’s home that had been burnt down by herders days earlier</s>NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — The Italian-born author and conservationist Kuki Gallmann was shot at her Kenyan ranch and airlifted for treatment after herders invaded in search of pasture to save their animals from drought, officials said Sunday.

Gallmann, known for her bestselling book “I Dreamed of Africa,” which became a movie by the same name starring Kim Basinger, was patrolling the ranch in Laikipia when she was shot in the stomach, local police chief Ezekiel Chepkowny said.

The 73-year-old Gallmann had been with rangers from the Kenya Wildlife Service, assessing damage done to her property Saturday by arsonists who burned down buildings at one of Laikipia Nature Conservancy’s tourism lodges, said Laikipia Farmers Association chairman Martin Evans.

After the attack, the rangers transported her to a location where she could be airlifted to Nanyuki town, Evans said. British Army medics attended to her before she was airlifted to the capital, Nairobi, where she underwent surgery, he said.

Richard Constant, the association’s deputy chairman, said suspicion falls on herders from the Pokot community who have invaded Gallmann’s ranch several times. Lodges belonging to Gallmann were burned by the herders last month.

This East African nation is facing a drought that has affected half the country and has been declared a national disaster.

Herders, whose livelihoods depend on their cattle, and large-scale farmers in parts of Kenya’s Rift Valley have been desperately waiting for seasonal rains that were to start last month to ease the drought and conflicts over grazing land in which more than 30 people have died.

Kenya’s military and police have been working to disarm and drive the hundreds of herders and their animals out of ranches they’ve invaded, but their actions appear to have escalated the violence. When the military and police drive herders from one ranch they move into another, the farmers’ association said.

The association has accused politicians campaigning for the August elections of inciting the herders to invade the ranches, saying the owners’ leases have come to an end and that herders can take over the land and distribute it among themselves.

“The LFA is conscious that a small handful of inciters are driving this violence and that they have deployed militias to cause mayhem in parts of Laikipia. For months these criminals have been rampaging around with their illegal weapons, destroying lives and livelihood,” Evans said.

The land invasions started late last year. British national and ranch owner Tristan Voorspuy was killed last month when he went to inspect damage done by the herders on one of his lodges.

Opposition leader and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga said ranch owners deserve protection under the law like all Kenyans.

“Unfortunately, we have watched in bewilderment as hooligans take advantage of the drought to subject these ranchers to unwarranted attacks,” Odinga said. “Even more depressing is the apparent helplessness of the government that is clearly unable or unwilling to bring these attacks to a stop.”

Many of the ranches, some of which double as wildlife conservancies, were acquired during the period of British colonial rule, some as early as 1900, according to a government report. Others were purchased after Kenya became independent in 1963.

Many of the farmers’ association’s members are in the tourism business, Evans said.

“Though times are very tough for those properties affected by the invasions, the extent of the troubles are restricted to parts of north and west Laikipia,” he said. “These events do not affect other parts of Kenya which remain safe to visit.”
Prominent Italian-born conservationist Kuki Gallmann is shot and injured in an ambush in northern Kenya.