Tension in Nakuru scheme sees House sit in camera

MPs are holding a private sitting to discuss the rising tension in Nakuru’s Banita Settlement Scheme in a bid to prevent an eruption of violence.

There is fear that the settlement scheme may be a source of ethnic clashes if appropriate action if not taken immediately.

In an election year, MPs requested that the matter be handled carefully being cautious of political interests and the explosive nature of the dispute.

Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim granted the request and immediately proceeded to order that all strangers leave the Chamber to allow MPs deliberate in camera.

The scheme in Nakuru County put up in 1996 by the government for squatters who had worked in sisal estates in Rongai district has been a centre of clashes between communities residing there following a dispute on how the 14,000 acres of land was to be subdivided to beneficiaries.

The government in 2003 identified 1,555 beneficiaries based on 12 villages they had established on the scheme.

Major security risk

Appraising the House on the situation on the ground on Tuesday, Defence minister Yusuf Haji, who is also the acting minister for Internal Security, warned that the clashes pose a major security risk.

A week ago, the Rift Valley Provincial Commissioner Osman Warfa wrote to the Provincial Administration and Internal Security Permanent Secretary recommending formation of a task force on the scheme.

The administrator said members of the Kalenjin community residing on the land have been farming and burying the dead on it while denying other communities the same on their plots.

He said in the July 31 letter that this has led to claims of double standards.

“Tempers are already going up and the Kikuyus have threatened to mobilise the youth to protect their interests,” he said.

"If this situation is allowed to continue it can spark clashes especially during this electioneering period."

The PC’s office has already constituted a committee of elders from all the communities residing on the scheme to talk to all of them in an effort to cool the tempers and to advice the government on the way forward.

MPs, on the other hand, had requested that a joint team comprising the committees of Land and National Security step in and investigate the dispute.

At Wednesday’s session, MPs interrogated Mr Haji on the events taking place at the scheme.

Kisumu Town East MP Olago Aluoch said in Parliament that very influential persons are involved in the dispute on the scheme.

The member warned that involvement by politicians could make it worse.

“I suggest that the matter be referred to the relevant committee because it is so sensitive,” he urged.