Moi to challenge court ruling on Kabarak land

By Vincent Mabatuk

Former President Moi has told Kenyans to remain calm as his legal team prepares to challenge a Court of Appeal ruling requiring him to vacate 100-acre piece of land in Kabarak.

Moi, who was heading back to Kabarak from his Kelelwa farm, was forced to stop at Kampi ya Moto centre, Rongai, yesterday to address demonstrators who blocked the road to protest the court ruling.

The former president told the protesters led by former Nakuru Mayor John Kitilit to remain calm and allow the law to the take its course.

A Nakuru court on Thursday directed Malcom Bell should take over the contested land currently occupied by the former Head of State.

The locals blocked the Nakuru-Eldama Ravine using old tyres and stones but police moved in and contained the situation.

Mr Kitilit said Kenyans were angered by reports that Mr Bell was to take over the farm while it is clear the person who negotiated the deal with Moi was the senior Bell.

“Kabarak institutions do not belong to Moi but it benefits all Kenyans and such a move will not be tolerated at all,” he said.

He said historical land injustices were perpetuated by white settlers and questioned how the complainant acquired the huge parcel of land in Rongai.

Kitilit asked Lands Minister James Orengo to reposses land occupied by foreigners with expired 99 years lease period.

“The contested section of the farm is where the former president was to construct a multimillion referral hospital that was to serve the country and that is why we are not going to allow foreigners to interfere with our future,” he said.

Japheth Morogo, a resident, said thousands of people are currently employed in Kabarak institutions and Moi’s farms and said if the ruling is not reversed, their lives will be affected.

However, Rongai DC Joseph Motari urged the protestors to remain calm and allow the law to take its course.

“Rest assured that Kabarak institutions will not be affected in any way as plans are underway to correct it,” said the DC.

Bell had moved to the Court of Appeal after Justice Muga Apondi ruled in 2005 that Moi High School Kabarak and former President Moi were the legal owners of the land.

Malcom had sought an injunction to compel Moi High School Kabarak to vacate the land claiming his late father Walter Ginger Bell was coerced to donate the land.