Herders in bid to storm disputed research farm in Naivasha
Mr Enock Kimita reads a statement outside the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (Kalro) premises in Naivasha on November 18, 2014. More than 100 members of the Maasai community Tuesday attempted to storm the premises claiming ownership of the vast farm. PHOTO | MACHARIA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- They claimed they were forced to vacate the land by European settlers during the colonial era.
- The disputed land is currently occupied by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation.
- The group said it has a written agreement signed in 1904 between all the eight Maasai clans and the colonial settlers that was to last 99 years.
- Naivasha Sub-County Commissioner Abraham Kemboi urged the group to respect the rule of law.
More than 100 Maasai herders Tuesday attempted to storm premises of a research agency in Naivasha, claiming ownership of the vast farm.
“Due to their selfish desire to occupy the Maasai land, European settlers, through their colonial administration, forced the Maasai to sign an agreement compelling them to vacate,” said the group’s spokesman, Mr Enock ole Kimit.
He said following the agreement, the occupants were pushed to remote areas, where they were allocated an alternative parcel of land. Thereafter, the colonial settlers were allocated huge tracts of land.
The disputed land is currently occupied by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation.
The group said it has a written agreement signed in 1904 between all the eight Maasai clans and the colonial settlers that was to last 99 years.
Mr Kimita said with the enactment of the Constitution, the leasehold has since expired.
He said they would seek legal redress if the government fails to resolve the leasehold issue.
Naivasha Sub-County Commissioner Abraham Kemboi urged the group to respect the rule of law and dissuaded them from storming the research farm.
