Land firm wants State’s intervention in 22,000-acre feud

Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatagi addresses shareholders of Utheri wa Lari land buying company at Kimende shopping centre on Saturday. The members resolved to settle on the Kendong' ranch farm from May 16. [PHOTO:JOHN KARUME/STANDARD]

Kiambu,Kenya: Over 20,000 shareholders of Utheri wa Lari land buying company want the Government to intervene so that they can settle in their 22,000-acre land in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru county.

The land is also being claimed by some pastoralists resulting in a stand off.

During a tour of the land in January, a clash between the two groups led to the death of two shareholders while others were injured.

In a meeting held on Saturday at Kimende shopping centre which was also attended by Kiambu Senator Kimani Wamatangi, the members passed six resolutions which they want the relevant Government officials to address immediately.

The members resolved to occupy their "legally" owned land by the end of next month and called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to provide them with enough security on May, 16 when they will officially move to the land.

Upon settling there, they want the Inspector General of police Joseph Boinett to build a police station and equip it and also deploy police officers who will guard them against invasion and possible attack by the pastoralists.

FROM KIAMBU

The members also called on Nkaissery to sack or transfer all "corrupt" land officials and administrators in Naivasha who they say have been a stumbling block in their quest to settle on the land as they are allegedly bribed to frustrate the process.

They urged the Inspector General to arrest and charge those who attack them every time they attempt to settle on the land.

Mr Wamatangi said he has already communicated with Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko, Nkaissery, Deputy Chief Justice Kalpana Rawal and  Boinett over the matter.

The senator said he will accompany officials and members of the land buying company to go and hand over the resolutions to the four government officials on Wednesday.

"Every Kenyan has a constitutional right to own a piece of land anywhere in the republic. I shall not allow my people to suffer again when they hold title deeds to the said piece of land which is already sub divided," said Wamatangi.

Group Chairman Stephen Muiru said that they hold the title deeds for the land located near Mai Mahiu after they bought it from Kendong ranch.

Most of the 20,000 shareholders are drawn from Kiambu while others come from Nakuru and Murang'a counties. They say they bought the land at Sh32.5 million.