BY NEHEMIAH OKWEMBAH

The Agricultural Development Corporation has raised concern over the massive land invasion and grabbing at the 1.8 million-acre ADC Galana Kulalu land by powerful individuals and squatters. The ADC board that is on a four-day familiarization tour has also claimed that the land was being subdivided into parcels and allocated to individuals against the knowledge of the agency.

It emerged that the entire 15 member board was at one point denied access to the Galana Kulalu land which is now being sub-divided as those on the ground claimed they had orders from above and beacons had already been erected. ADC falls partly in Kilifi County and largely in Tana River County and was earmarked for the multi-billion food security project which is going on the ground.

The ADC board led by its vice-chair Ms. Lydia Ntimama said that they would not allow any more invasions of their assets which were allocated by the government to help address the problem of food insecurity in the country and advised those who had encroached or grabbed to vacate before they are forcefully evicted. Speaking after touring the ADC Top farm in Sabaki area of Magarini constituency Ms. Ntimama also cautioned elected leaders against inciting residents residing near ADC lands to invade the farms.

& 39;'What we have found out is that the ADC land is being challenged and there is a lot of theft that happened in the previous years and there are current squatters who are trying to invade our lands including illegal herders who come into our land to graze what we're protecting for our own cattle,'' she said. & 39;'We shall not condone what happened in the previous years and we are on course to reclaim what belongs to ADC so that we can provide every mwananchi with food security,'' she said. Ms Ntimama said those who were allocated land and title deeds in ADC lands such as Kisiwani complex and top from in Magarini must surrender them immediately s it is public land.

& 39;'We as the government are saying that our ADC land grabbed by people must be surrendered so that we can provide food security to the country,'' she said adding that 900 acres had been reclaimed from squatters in the past but was again allocated to top government officials and powerful individuals with connections in the government. & 39;'We're telling the top government officials to surrender the land because it is government property belonging to the people,'' she said.

Other areas with similar problems include Endavivi, Naivasha where ADC had 42,000 acres which were grabbed leaving only 3000 acres. Mr Stephen Kinuthia who is a director of the ADC board said that the special board was appointed President Uhuru Kenyatta and have the goodwill from him to perform. He said that there were individuals who lease ADC land and refuse to leave after the expiry which has contributed to many problems in ADC lands. Kinuthia said that they're now seeking assistance from the government to be given security so as to deal with anyone who invades their assets.

& 39;'How come the ones we're told are squatters, weak are being evicted in one day but the big fish with ten acres, 30 acres and above are not touched,'' he said. He said those who grabbed ADC land in the previous regime should know that their time is up and shall not be entertained anymore. Kinuthia said that in three years the board will have made major recoveries and asked those involved to move out. David Kareithi Board member said their mandate is food security adding that they plan to conduct field day for all farmers so s to have knowledge of producing food. He said if people are trained well to produce food the issue of food insecurity will be addressed. & 39;'Those who will follow the right procedures shall be trained on how to rear cattle and other products for the country to move forward.BY NEHEMIAH OKWEMBAH nokwembah standardmedia.co.ke 5/3/2021 The Agricultural Development Corporation has raised concern over the massive land invasion and grabbing at the 1.8 million-acre ADC Galana Kulalu land by powerful individuals and squatters. The ADC board that is on a four day familiarization tour has also claimed that the land was being subdivided into parcels and allocated to individuals against the knowledge of the agency. It emerged that the entire 15 member board was at one point denied access to the Galana Kulalu land which is now being sub-divided as those on the ground claimed they had orders from above and beacons had already been erected. ADC falls partly in Kilifi County and largely in Tana River County and was earmarked for the multi-billion food security project which is going on the ground. The ADC board led by its vice chair Ms. Lydia Ntimama said that they would not allow any more invasions of their assets which were allocated by the government to help address the problem of food insecurity in the country and advised those who had encroached or grabbed to vacate before they are forcefully evicted. Speaking after touring the ADC Top farm in Sabaki area of Magarini constituency Ms. Ntimama also cautioned elected leaders against inciting residents residing near ADC lands to invade the farms. & 39;'What we have found out is that the ADC land is being challenged and there is a lot of theft that happened in the previous years and there are current squatters who are trying to invade our lands including illegal herders who come into our land to graze what we're protecting for our own cattle,'' she said. & 39;'We shall not condone what happened in the previous years and we are on course to reclaim what belongs to ADC so that we can provide every mwananchi with food security,'' she said. Ms Ntimama said those who were allocated land and title deeds in ADC lands such as Kisiwani complex and top from in Magarini must surrender them immediately s it is public land. & 39;'We as government are saying that our ADC land grabbed by people must be surrendered so that we can provide food security to the country,'' she said adding that 900 acres had been reclaimed from squatters in the past but was again allocated to top government officials and powerful individuals with connections in the government. & 39;'We're telling the top government officials to surrender the land because it is government property belonging to the people,'' she said. Other areas with similar problems include Endavivi, Naivasha where ADC had 42,000 acres which were grabbed leaving only 3000 acres. Mr Stephen Kinuthia who is a director of the ADC board said that the special board was appointed President Uhuru Kenyatta and have the goodwill from him to perform. He said that there were individuals who lease ADC land and refuse to leave after the expiry which has contributed to many problems in ADC lands. Kinuthia said that they're now seeking assistance from the government to be given security so as to deal with anyone who invades their assets. & 39;'How come the ones we're told are squatters, weak are being evicted in one day but the big fish with ten acres, 30 acres and above are not touched,'' he said. He said those who grabbed ADC land in the previous regime should know that their time is up and shall not be entertained anymore. Kinuthia said that in three years the board will have made major recoveries and asked those involved to move out. David Kareithi Board member said their mandate is food security adding that they plan to conduct field day for all farmers so s to have knowledge of producing food. He said if people are trained well to produce food the issue of food insecurity will be addressed. & 39;'Those who will follow the right procedures shall be trained on how to rear cattle and other products for the country to move forward. Kenya's No.1 channel for digital exclusive videos.