By Antony Gitonga
Members of the Isahakia community have taken possession of over 1,700 acres in Naivasha, saying that it was their ancestral land.
The community accused the State of oppression and vowed not to vacate the vast land located next to Naivasha G K Prison.
Drawn from all parts of the country, members of the community held prayers on the land for which they claimed that they had legal papers.
Overcome by joy, some members shed tears, saying that after years of seeking elusive justice, their prayers had been heard.
The group leader, Mr Ali Farah hit out at some civic leaders from Naivasha Municipal Council for delaying their resettlement.
Untold suffering
He said the community was ready to take their case to the International Criminal Court, saying that like other communities in camps, the Isahakia had undergone untold suffering.
“We have gone to various offices seeking justice and we are ready to die on this land if anyone tries to evict us,” said an emotional Ali.
The Isahakia were among the first communities in Naivasha and were brought in by Lord Delamere from Somali land in the late 1800.
They are currently involved in a protracted court case with Kenya Agriculture Research Institute (Kari) over the ownership of another piece of land in Naivasha.
Ali said that for years the community had suffered and wondered what happened to the promise that all land injustices would be addressed.
