44 Masai herdsmen charged with invading white-owned ranches in Laikipia were ordered to pay a total of Sh3.5 million as bail this week. Their relatives and lawyers have claimed that the ruling is designed to harass the Masai and described the ruling as a prohibitive bail condition, claiming that the majority of the accused are simply unable to over the Sh80,000 ($1,000) required from each of them. The magistrate denied receiving any advice from the government and said that he was discharging his duties independently.