Who is who in Mau Forest land allocation

By Alex Ndegwa

Two MPs and aides to former President Moi are among prominent persons said to own huge chunks of land in the Mau Forest Complex, according to a list the Prime Minister tabled in Parliament.

Baringo Central MP Sammy Mwaita and his Kuresoi counterpart Zakayo Cheruiyot are listed among those allotted over 20 hectares.

Mwaita, a former Commissioner of Lands, is listed as possessing 23.50ha at Nakuru/Ngongongeri 1676 in Nakuru District.

Mr Cheruiyot, a former Internal Security Permanent Secretary, is listed as owning 1,955ha of land identified as Osupuko/Ololulunga/Nkaroni parcel 9122.

Cheruiyot rebuffed Raila claims he owned 1,955ha in the Mau Forest Complex. "Hakuna kitu kama hicho (there is nothing like that). This is really cheap politics by the Prime Minister. There is nothing of the sort." But Cheruiyot admitted being allocated 20 acres of land, "which was in the Ndung’u Report," and challenged the PM to release "the whole list."

Asked if he would surrender the 20acres without compensation, he said, "We shall cross that bridge when we get there."

Not related

Later, Cheruiyot called The Standard to say he is not related to Z.P Cheruiyot listed to have been allocated 1,955 ha in the report the Prime Minister tabled in Parliament.

Mr John Lokorio is indicated as owning 23.50ha in Nakuru/Ngongongeri. Mr Gideon Moi is said to have been allotted 44.74ha, identified as Nakuru/Olenguruone/Kiptagich (extension) parcel.

In April, when claims were first made he had been allocated land in the Mau Forest Complex, Gideon said: "You read in the newspapers that I am one of the beneficiaries of Mau, but today I want to declare at this meeting that at no time was I ever issued with land and if anyone wants to allocate me any I am more than ready to take it."

He went on: "If the task force was sincere, then they should have recommended that those allocated land in Njoro, Elburgon and Molo should also be investigated instead of selectively targeting people from certain regions."

Big beneficiaries

Among the big beneficiaries of the allocations are Ololarusi Investment Farm (4,001ha), Koremo ole Surum (2,988ha), Francis Lemiso Kipturkut (2,653ha) and IIngina Contractors (1,295ha).

Other firms that got substantial allocations are Kiptagich Tea Estates (80ha), Sian Enterprises Limited (118.89 ha) and Kelewa Enterprises Ltd (28.80ha).