Ethnic tension in Baringo as land row widens despite taskforce joining in

Paul Chepsoi addresses the youths at Tuiyobei in Mochongoi. Police arrest a youth who invaded squatters farms. [PHOTOS: BONIFACE THUKU AND JAMES MUNYEKI/ STANDARD]

By VINCENT MABATUK

Baringo, Kenya: The National Land Commission (NLC) and leaders from Baringo County have agreed to form a task force to resolve land disputes in Mochongoi to avert conflict.

The task force is mandated to investigate historical land injustices and scrutinise land documents in the hands of residents before handing over their recommendations to the commission.

Mochongoi settlement scheme row has threatened to split residents along tribal and political lines.

But the crux of the matter is that the locals are in possession of allotment letters issued by the Government more than two decades ago and are awaiting title deeds. Mochongoi settlement scheme was excised out of Ol Arabal forest part of Marmanet forest.

Already, the settlers have constructed homes, schools, churches and health facilities in the forest.

However, the residents who have enjoyed relative calm since 1993 are now a worried lot following attempts to evict them last month by youth from a rival community.

Tuyobei forest settlers insist they have genuine land documents issued by the Government.

At Kimoriot, residents claimed they were allocated land as compensation for ancestral land they surrendered to the state for construction of Kirandich Dam in Baringo Central to supply water to Kabarnet town.

Mzee William Ngetich explained that a section of the 1,764 acres also went to the beneficiaries from Sacho location who gave up their land to the government for construction of Kesetan Secondary School and it could be unfair if they are displaced by new comers.

Others who benefited from the land included the less fortunate in the society and the disabled.

During the botched forceful eviction, residents of Kimoriot and Tuyobei blocks were forced to flee their homes after more than 200 machete-wielding youth suspected to be from the Endorois community descended on their farms.

The youth were repulsed by a contingent of police officers from Marigat.

“Tension is still high in this area because we are not sure about the next course of action, night patrols should be increased to prevent attacks”, said Ngetich.

Elders refuted claims by the youth that 300 acres of land was lying idle saying all plots of between five – two acres belong to individuals.

Villagers scampered for safety on February 8th when youth arrived aboard a hired lorry and motor cycles and subdivided the land among themselves.

“What wrong have these people committed so that they can be maimed and scared in their farms when they have already cleared all required payments to the Government”, Francis Cheruiyot a squatter said.

In 2003, squatters paid Sh3,307 as a mandatory fee to the settlement trust fund for the allotment letters to be issued.

Part of the land was set aside for construction of public utilities including health centres, public schools, churches and shopping centres.

Mr Cheruiyot said he was shocked when the youth claimed ownership of land already registered in their names.

Incite youth

 “It’s not in dispute that some plots are undeveloped but have owners recognised by the law, the use of the law of the jungle to render them homeless will not be entertained”, warned Mochongoi chief Patrick Chepsoi.

Human rights organisation in Baringo County is facing the heat from Government agencies and local elders following reports that it was allegedly being used to incite youth to fight against alleged historical land injustices.

This emerged following three day protests by Endorois youth who threatened to evict 2,000 people settled by former President Moi ‘s Government between 1993 and 2002 in Mochongoi which is part of Marmanet forest.

However, elders from the Endorois community led by the Provincial Administration accused a section of youth leaders of taking advantage of the situation to breach peace and warned that such attempts will not be tolerated.

At a meeting in Mochongoi attended by elders and youth, Mr Chepsoi warned the management of Endorois Welfare Council not to use donor’s funds to incite communities that have peacefully for 21 years.

 “As a leader I will not feel happy if funds from donors are used to divide a peaceful population and act as a source of confusion. If the council cannot extend their help to other communities then they should be stopped”, he said.  

However, Wilson Kipkazi, the executive secretary of Endorois Welfare Council, said the targeted parcels of land had remained idle for many years and accused unnamed politicians of planning to grab them.

Mr Kipkazi said the Endorois community, through the council, reported the land row to Baringo Governor Benjamin Cheboi but no action has been taken.

Kipruto Kimosop, an Endorois leader defended the youth saying they invaded the farms because the land has been lying idle for years.

 “The youth are jobless and landless yet there are unoccupied lands in the region,” he said.

He said the genesis of the conflict should be addressed.

“But if the National Land Commission is unable to bring order then the entire scheme should be reverted back to the Kenya Forest Service and beneficiaries return to their ancestral homes,” said Kimosop.

Fredrick Chepsergon, a resident of Sandai location said the Endorois community was left out during land allocation by the Government and the process should be reviewed to accommodate all.

He warned that unless the matter was addressed urgently it could turn into the Mt Elgon skirmishes.

“Some communities feel that there is no justice in land allocation; it is clear unless the Government comes out clearly then some groups will definitely resort to armed conflict,” he said.

Over the years, politicians seeking various positions have used the land problem as a campaign tool. Addressing residents in Mochongoi in 2007 ahead of the General Election, Raila Odinga promised that his Government would issue title deeds to the families.

Raila said those allocated land in Mochongoi settlement scheme should not be evicted.

Similar promises were made by Jubilee Coalition leaders Uhuru Kenyatta and William Ruto when they criss-crossed Baringo County in hunt for votes before the March 4th, 2013 General Election.

More than 500 Kanu leaders met former President Kibaki at Nakuru State House and he promised to issue title deeds to Mochongoi residents.

The scheme was excised from Marmanet forest during the Kanu regime in 1990 but has never been de-gazetted.