By Beauttah Omanga
A row is simmering between 3,000 squatters and alleged owners of a piece of land in Gilgil.
The settlers have vowed they would resist forceful eviction directed by the local DC.
The squatters have accused the administrator of meddling in a legal dispute over the land in question and want him penalised.
Led by Nakuru County ODM Chairman Peter ole Sono through their lawyer Wilfred Konosi, the squatters have written a protest letter to Gilgil DC Elmi Shaffi asking him to keep off the matter until a case they have filed in court is heard and determined.
Mr Shaffi last week gave the squatters a seven-day notice to vacate the disputed land or be forcefully evicted.
“The squatters obtained a temporary injunction restraining those claiming to own the land, their agents or servants from entering trespassing, alienating, selling, or evicting them. The said orders have been extended by consent severally and the matter is fixed for mention on May 11,” said the advocate.
But reached for comment, the DC maintained that the squatters must vacate the 8,000 acres they are illegally occupying at Oljorai area of Gilgil District.
“Those people are mere speculators who have encroached on private land. They must leave and go back to where they came from,” said the DC. He accused some leaders in the area of inciting the squatters.
But speaking on behalf of the squatters, Mr Sono said the squatters have occupied the land for more than 30 years and have nowhere to go.
“Majority of the squatters have nowhere to return to since they have lived there for over 30 years. The Government should be humane in handling the issue and respect the order in place until the court process is finalised,” said Sono.
However, Shaffi said the Nyakinyua farmers had a legal title deed for the land.
