Five Injured, Houses Razed Down In Rongai Land Tussle

The bedlam arose after the owner of the more than 3500 acres of land directed that part of the squatters be evicted after they declined to move to a part of the farm allocated for them.

The squatters from the vast Lomolo sisal estate allege that they are the rightful owners of the land and have been occupying the land since 1910 further stating that the farm owner Harris Horn Junior has no right to evict them.

According to the Chair, Kokwenbei Community Group Shadrack Kipkorir, the matter is before court and no interference is allowed before the court ruling.

Kipkorir further pointed out that, a Nakuru Court had already issued orders that status quo to be maintained whereby no evictions or any activity would take place on the farm until the matter is heard.

Kipkorir urged the National Lands Commission to intervene as it had assured them that they were not going to be evicted from the land until the issues at hand are resolved.

One of the victims whose house was burnt down David Kimtai says the askaris have been torching their houses in a bid to intimidate them into moving from the farm.

Kimtai recounting the ordeal said that they were attacked by more than 20 askaris who were armed with crude weapons.

This led to a confrontation between the two groups but the askaris fled after they were outnumbered by the angry squatters.

By Bonareri Samaha