Governor Ruto alleges plot to grab leased land

Bomet County Governor Isaac Ruto has alleged a plot by Jubilee leaders to grab land under plantations in his county and neighbouring Kericho County after the expiry of a 100-year lease to multinational tea companies.

Speaking at a political rally in Kaptien Secondary School, Governor Ruto said that the land is natural inheritance of the locals whose livelihoods depend on tea farming, insisting that the land should be reverted to the community to decide what to do with it.

Governor Ruto further complained of discrimination in compensation of families evicted from Mau Forest in 2015.

He disclosed that some families were compensated Ksh400 000 while others were given Ksh200 000.

The governor decried high youth unemployment rate in his county and the country in general and offensive language used by a section of Jubilee leaders.

In Kericho County, Governor Paul Chepkwony has sued Kenya Tea Development Authority (KTDA) over alleged exploitation of tea farmers in a case in which he is seeking Ksh87 billion compensation for the farmers.

In the case at the Kericho High Court, Governor Paul Chepkwony is named as the petitioner while the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA) is the first respondent.

Seven other KTDA subsidiary companies; Kenya Tea Packers Limited (Ketepa), Majani Insurance Brokers and the KTDA Power Company, have been named alongside 15 other respondents.

(Reported by Reuben Motochi, written by Moses Ngugi)

Tags:

Isaac Ruto Bomet County. Land grabbing Land leasing tea farming

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