Over the past 12 months, life in parts of West Laikipia has become increasingly hazardous for many communities here, as heavily armed raiders have destroyed both businesses and homes already suffering the effects of a failed rainy season. Thugs and bandits have driven thousands of cattle, sheep and goats onto private property, have stolen livestock and stored crops, destroyed standing crops, homes, household possessions, and taken lives. Whilst the damage caused to larger ranches has been widely reported in the media, there are many more smallholders who have been impacted even more severely - in many cases losing everything with little hope of recouping their investments - and they have received little or indeed no help to date.

Nancy, who's husband Kariwo Lotome was killed by invaders on Kifuku where his cattle were grazing on an agreement is just one example.

A donation of $ 45 will buy them the means to replant 1 acre this season, or feed a family for just over a fortnight.

Any money raised beyond this will go towards restoring the section of the West Laikipia fence on Kifuku’s boundary that helps protect a community of smallholders against crop damage and attack by elephant and other wildlife - and without which makes replanting even more of a lottery.