Author and conservationist shot in drought-addled Kenya over water.
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.
Gallmann’s condition was not known, and neither her family nor the hospital would comment.
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 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.
‘‘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.