Police ordered to launch probe into alleged leasing of State land

A herd of camels at Kimose Livestock Improvement Centre in Baringo County. According to the locals, farm managers have been leasing the 3, 000 acres Government land illegally. PHOTO:BONIFACE THUKU.

Police have been directed to investigate suspected illegal dealings on Government land in Mogotio.

Mogotio Deputy County Commissioner Philip Nzungo ordered that the alleged leasing of 3,000 acres at the Livestock Improvement Centre at Kimose farm and its management be investigated.

The directive comes a few days after a clash between the local community and camel farmers from Nanyuki, who allegedly leased the land for three months to graze more than 200 camels at an undisclosed fee.

"As the Government, we are in the dark on how these animals found their way here and who the owners are. The farm manager claimed they paid for it but he has no documents to support his assertions," Mr Nzungo said.

Farm manager Nicholas Yator claimed the camel owners paid Sh13,000 to the centre while the community's interim chairman Micah Cheserem said the farmers pay up to Sh1,000 per camel monthly.

Hussein Ali, a farmer from Nanyuki, declined to disclose the amount he paid, insisting as a Kenyan, he had a right to graze in any part of the country.

"The management took my money and they should first refund me if I have to leave. Before I entered that farm, the manager told me to clear Sh40,000 in pasture arrears, which I did diligently," said Mr Ali.

Mr Cheserem said the same farmers had leased the farm for more than five years.

"Time has come for the community to be told how much the Government was paid for that period. This is our land and it would be unfair for a few individuals to enrich themselves, yet the Government refuses to act," he said.

He said the community paid Sh500,000 to the farm management during this year's dry spell and questioned whether the money was ever recorded.

Residents who held a security meeting with the deputy county commissioner and top security officers claimed the animals belonged to Government workers and threatened to eject them from the farm.

 Bribe Zone

"Basically, the farm was meant to benefit the community but if it has been converted into a bribe zone, then it's unfortunate. The community has been on the losing end for long and if the camels are not removed, then we are determined to do what it takes," said Elijah Kochei, a resident.

He said herders without any identification documents arrived in the area claiming to have been on their way to Barwessa in Baringo North and asked for three days to allow the animals to rest.

"The three days have turned into four months and when we asked, they told us the land belongs to senior people in the Government," he said.

Residents claimed the camels were contributing to massive soil erosion on the farm and deforestation, saying the fact that other Government officials have been kept in the dark leaves a lot to be desired.

Recently, farmers in the sub-county petitioned Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Willy Bett to investigate corrupt dealings at two livestock improvement centres (LIC) in the region, which receive millions of shillings annually from State for support.

According to the locals, the Mogotio LIC and Kimose Goat and Sheep Station have been put in jeopardy by unscrupulous cartels at the management level.

On the 600 acres in Mogotio, Joseph Chepwelel alleged some sections of the farm have been left unfenced for years, hence allowing illegal cross-breeding between the Government's livestock with those of the community.