Italian environmentalist and writer Kuki Gallmann was seriously injured in the Laikipia Nature Conservancy last May 13 by probable cattle rustlers while driving her car. She has since been hospitalized in serious condition.
The Conservancy's own website writes this in a statement that appeared Aug. 14.
"She was struck below the knee by a bullet through the door of her car. She was immediately transported to a hospital in Nairobi for treatment - writes the site - The operation was successful, but complications arose with subsequent treatment and she is still hospitalized. The shooting involving Kuki appears to have been accidental, as she surprised a group of 40 armed raiders crossing the reserve. Two hours later, the raiders stole 265 head of cattle from a nearby Samburu community before driving the cattle across the Rift Valley and into Baringo County."
However, according to the LNC, the shooting that affected the writer for the second time, who had already been seriously injured not far from home in April 2017, is not an extraordinary incident: farmers and residents are continually threatened in the area by armed bandits. According to the site, already 50 farms have been raided with 15 thousand head of cattle stolen and more than 10 people killed, as well as many others injured.
But the Italian conservationist has never shied away from protecting the Laikipia area, which has been the driving force behind her troubled and incredible life, and that of her daughter Sveva.
"Kuki and her family need peace and privacy now as Kuki focuses on her recovery and rehabilitation," the statement concludes, "However, her hope is that this incident of hers has not been in vain and will raise attention to the plight of local communities and galvanize efforts and investment toward long-term solutions to this problem, which will otherwise take an increasing toll on lives and livelihoods and instability in the region.