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| squatters demand to be settled amidst land disputes |
Hundreds of people have demanded to be settled on a 2,000-acre farm in Laikipia County, where they have lived as squatters for many years.
The farm, LR-2426, is available for allocation since its former owner, settler Irene Ida Norman, passed away in 1959, three years after her lease expired.
During a demonstration at the farm, the squatters expressed their frustration after an Asian individual recently fenced off 260 acres of the 2,192-acre property, located in Kisiriri area of Salama Ward, Laikipia West constituency.
Wilson Leshao voiced their dismay, stating that the recent fencing action has exacerbated their situation.
“We want Governor Joshua Irungu to come and discuss a way forward. If he does not come voluntarily, we will go to his office or home because we deserve to be settled like other Kenyans,” Leshao said.
He noted that the administration has been claiming that the land belongs to George Jenning, who owns the neighbouring 2,413 acres under LR2425.
Miriam Waithera, one of the affected squatters, reported losing access to her vital documents and clothes after the Asian fenced off the area where her house was located.
“I am among 66 families that were evicted after the area was fenced off. I left behind my documents, bags of maize, and irrigation pipes,” Waithera said.
She expressed frustration over being evicted from land where they had lived for many years, particularly given Kenya’s 60 years of independence.
Moses Leng’eren, who was born on the farm where his family has lived for over 30 years, said families who were evicted were promised resettlement by an Assistant County Commissioner in Rumuruti, but no action has been taken.
“We know the Asian was assisted by the ACC to fence off the land, leaving many people homeless,” Leng’eren claimed.
Veronica Moraa Gekonge, also born on the farm, called for the transfer of the ACC, alleging that the administrator was prioritizing foreigners over the squatters.
Ibrahim Lesian, Chairman of the Kisiriri Community, revealed that they wrote to all elected leaders in Laikipia in January seeking assistance, but received no response.
“We never received any feedback on the letter we sent to Governor Irungu, Woman Rep Jane Kagiri, and Laikipia West MP Wachira Karani. We have decided to storm the Governor’s office or home and camp there until our needs are addressed,” Lesian said.
By Lydia Mwangi