The Battle for Laikipia

In Laikipia, Kenya, a battle over land and water is escalating between original pastoralist communities and large landowners. While these communities, who have practised nomadic herding for generations, fight to protect their way of life, landowners claim vast areas for conservation and ecotourism. Deep-rooted inequalities and postcolonial power structures fuel rising tensions, further exacerbated by political interests and corruption.

Climate change plays a crucial role in this conflict. Severe drought forces herders to migrate further in search of grazing land, leading to clashes with landowners and conservation authorities. Meanwhile, the government struggles to balance economic interests, conservation policies, and the rights of these communities, as failed governance and power imbalances intensify the crisis. What begins as a fight over natural resources unfolds into a broader struggle against systemic injustice and inequality.

Focusing on the human stories behind the crisis, The Battle for Laikipia explores how historical and ecological forces shape the future of the region. The film exposes the devastating consequences of political inaction and climate change, asking a pressing question: who has the right to land, water, and a liveable future?