Squatters win big as land dispute resolved

Eldoret, Kenya - Controversy over sale of an expansive agricultural farm in Uasin Gishu County has been resolved amicably after residents and an investor agreed on the subdivision process.

The agreement on the allocation that was arrived at by the interested parties and the local administration ended a long standing stalemate that had interfered with farming on the 3,200 acre Jagir Singh farm.

In the agreement, about 530 acres will go to former squatters on the farm, 1,100 acres to be sold to families living around the farm while 1,600 acres will be retained by an investor, prominent Mombasa businessman David Lang’at.

Mr Lang’at, the owner of DL Group of Companies, told The Standard on Saturday that the former squatters are now happy and have started preparing their farms for planting.

“They no longer want to be called squatters but small scale farmers, we will empower them by giving them credit facilities so that they can fully develop their farms,” he said.

In the new arrangement, Lang’at donated about 330 acres to the former squatters, this includes 15 acres for primary and secondary schools, three acres for a youth centre and women group, three acres for a market and six for administration and water project.

“The remaining 200 acres will be bought by the squatters at half the market price. We will help them (squatters) secure bank loans to acquire the land and development of their farms,” said Langat.

Uasin Gishu County Commissioner Abdi Hassan said the squatters’ committee officials and the land owner had agreed amicably on the disposal of the land. “It has been a long wait, the friendly agreement will help fast-track development in the area, we expect no further confrontations,” he said.