Families reject land auction, call for fresh negotiations

By Augustine Oduor

Tension is brewing in Kajiado District over fears of families being rendered homeless.

They will be left homeless if a High Court order issued early this month to auction their land is effected.

The High Court in Kericho allowed Nguruma Ltd to sell the property through a public auction if debts owed to the company by the community are not settled.

Early in the week, the two communities, Shompole and Ol Kiramatian, demonstrated at Shompole trading centre against the intended sale of the estimated 200,000 acres of land.

"During the 1990 drought our people sought pasture in the adjacent piece of land. But the owner, Mr Hermus Steyn, who owns Nguruma Ltd, sued the two communities for trespass and damages. The court awarded him Sh5 million, but he now wants more," said Olkejuado County Council Chairman Tarayia ole Kores.

Speaking during the protest, elders from the two communities said the land belongs to them and they would resist any move to dispossess them.

Source of income

"About 40,000 people occupy this land and we now fear being internally displaced after the intended sale," said Mr Kumari Turana, an elder.

He said they would lose a lot if the land is sold, since it is home to many tourist sites and pastureland.

"Mr Steyn should have met the community and negotiated a settlement. If he is ready to talk we will talk," said Mr Kores.