Some parts of the vast Nyambene landscape in northern Meru are spellbinding. The spectacular Nyambene Hills rise in undulating waves, cloaked in thick forest and sheltering an extraordinary wealth of biodiversity.

The region is the source of 14 permanent rivers that nourish vast swathes of Meru before feeding into the mighty Tana River and eventually emptying into the Indian Ocean. 

In an ideal world, this Edenic terrain would be a magnet for eco-tourism, a sanctuary for wildlife and nature lovers alike. But beneath the breathtaking scenery lies a far darker reality: Nyambene has become a haven for cattle rustlers—a flashpoint of fear, violence, and loss for the communities who call it home.