Retired President Moi says he acquired Kiptagich land legally

By Peter Mutai

Former President Moi has clarified that he did not use his position as Head of State to allocate himself land in the Mau Complex.

Moi said: "The land under which the much talked about Kiptagich Tea Estate is located was part of the trust land under Narok County Council and I was allocated by the Maasai community to plant tea to stop people from encroaching the forest."

He said the land that falls under Kiptagich settlement scheme and its environs was part of the expansive bamboo forest legally allocated by the council.

Former President Moi at Litein Secondary School in Bureti District, where he attended Sunday’s service to mark the New Year. With him is Roads Minister Franklin Bett. Photo: Boniface Thuku/Standard

Speaking after attending a Sunday service to mark the New Year at Litein High School, Moi wondered why a section of the media portrayed him as having grabbed land in the forest.

The service organised by the AIC South Rift region brought together hundreds of faithful from Kipkelion, Kericho, Buret and Bomet.

"I did not destroy trees to pave way for tea growing. It was originally bamboo forest," he said.

nyayo tea zones

The former President said the media had also painted him as the owner of the Kiptagich Tea factory yet the factory processed 75 per cent of tea delivered by small-scale tea farmers.

"Mine only accounts for a quarter of all green leaf being delivered to the factory for processing," Moi said.

The tough speaking Moi said: "I was instrumental in the creation of Nyayo Tea zones across the country to protect forests from encroachers. I wonder why the Government is not appreciating the role I played in environmental conservation."

Moi said the Mau issue was complex and asked the Government to approach it soberly.

He said the sanctity of title deeds should be respected since land issues were emotive.

Roads Minister Franklin Bett, former MPs Paul Sang, Kalembe Ndile, former Nominated MPs and allies Ezekiel Barng’etuny and Mark Too accompanied him.

Mr Bett appealed to the Government to handle the Mau issue with caution, saying squatters evicted from the water tower should be given alternative land as contained in the recommendations of the Mau Task force. He also urged Kenyans to respect the former Head of State.