Surveyor blames military for failing to do due diligence on disputed land

Lawyer Kipkoech Ng'etich with members of Rumuruti Farmers Company Limited outside Naivasha Law Courts on November 13, 2024 after hearing of a case where they have sued Kenya Army for allegedly taking over their land. [File, Standard]

A senior land official has blamed the Kenya Army for failing to conduct due diligence before taking possession of a disputed 250-acre parcel of land in Gilgil.

Rift Valley Regional Surveyor Peter Wanyama, while testifying before Naivasha Environment and Lands Court judge, Oundo Clausina, said the Ministry of Defence, upon the compulsory acquisition of the 265 acres and 146 acres, should have undertaken an official sub-division to isolate them, which would have prevented the dispute.