Samburu residents protest grabbing of community land

Residents of Kirimon area in Samburu County have demonstrated over alleged grabbing of a 10,000-acre piece of community land.

The residents claim that Kelele Holding Ground, which is occupied by about 2000 squatters, had been approved by the former county council to be part of the Kirimon group ranch.

The protestors also blamed the committee managing Kirimon group ranch for their predicament, adding that they want young people involved in the management of the group ranch.

However, the county government has maintained that the land is owned by the government and had been set aside as a holding ground for livestock.

“This land had been set aside by the government in the past for livestock keeping during vaccination before the livestock are allowed to move to other areas, a project that failed,’’ Samburu County Deputy Commissioner Mr Igiha clarified.

Earlier, the protesters had opened fences and grazed their cattle in the homesteads of people in the group ranch.

“We are striving for equality between the poor and rich members of the community under the group ranch,’’ said Mr Lempris Lentuta, one of the protesters.

Samburu County Director of Lands Mr Simon Letabul weighed in on the matter, telling the Kirimon group ranch members to write a petition to his office that will be forwarded to the Cabinet.

By Steve Maranga