Locals protest over irregular allocation of land

By Leonard Korir

A row has erupted between residents of Trans Mara and the local council over alleged irregular and double allocation of plots.

More than 200 residents of Nakuyian sub-location in Kilgoris town pulled down a perimeter wall that had been erected around an eight-acre plot by a private developer.

The angry protestors repulsed Trans Mara County Council askaris who had been summoned to disperse them. Chanting anti-council slogans demonstrators accused council staff from the Physical Planning and Survey Department of colluding with land brokers to grab land.

They called on the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission (KACC) to probe the allocation of land.

The eight-acre piece of land, which is a trust land, is reported to have been grabbed and later sold to private developers secretly.

Allotment letters

Investigation by The Standard revealed that a plot measuring 50x100m is being sold at between Sh400,000 and Sh500,000. Town Clerk Daniel Twala admitted that some council officers collude with brokers in issuance of parallel allotment letters.

He said: "We are in the process of computerising the registry records to curb further manipulation."

The officer said it was shocking that up to date allotment letters dating back to 1996 were still being issued and signed by clerks who held office a long time ago.

"Some of the allotment letters issued are being backdated to blackmail the buyers," said Twala. The Standard learnt that corruption within the inner circle of the council has resulted in double allocation of plots leading to clashes between plot owners.