Keep off land issues in my county, Nakuru Governor warns

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua flanked by a county official at a press conference in Naivasha where he accused senators Peter Mositet (Kajiado) and Stehen Ole Ntutu (Narok) of interfering with land issues in Nakuru.[PHOTO: ANTHONY GITONGA]

Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua has lashed out at some Narok and Kajiado leaders for interfering with land issues in his county.

The governor took issue with Kajiado Senator Peter Mositet, his Narok counterpart Stephen ole Ntutu and Narok East MP Ken Aramat over ownership of the vast Utheri wa Lari farm situated in Naivasha.

Last week, the three politicians held a rally near the disputed land which is in Mai Mahiu in Naivasha where they vowed that members of their community would not move out.

This came as hundreds farmers mainly from Kiambu vowed that they would converge at the land which they also lay claim to for prayers despite threats from pastoralists.

Already members of the pastoralist community have threatened to stop the meeting just like they did four months ago in an incident that left three elderly men dead and scores injured.

But an irate Mbugua supported the prayer meeting.

“We are calling on our counterparts from the neighbouring counties to respect elected leaders in Nakuru. We condemn the inciteful meeting held in Mai Mahiu a week ago,” he said.

The governor called on security officers to make sure the prayer meeting proceeded peacefully.

He said a similar meeting planned two months ago on the disputed land was postponed at the last minute due to threats by the community.

“The meeting by members of the Utheri was Lari will go on as planned as they have notified the police and anyone out to stop it should be arrested,” he said.

Speaking after holding a meeting with elders from the Kikuyu and Maasai communities in Naivasha, the Governor said the rule of law should be respected.

“I ask communities living in Mai Mahiu to coexist peacefully as they have done for years and respect the rule of the law,” he said.

However, a Maasai pastor Lorna Longushu expressed her concern over the planned prayer meeting saying it could lead to bloodshed.

The cleric called for the highly publicised meeting to be canceled as there was high tension around the volatile area.

“A similar meeting in this area left some people dead and others injured and we should first reconcile all the communities involved before calling for another meeting,” she said.

Security officers have already been dispatched to the area in anticipation of any clashes between members of the two communities.