Rein in MPs fuelling farm invasions, elders tell Kaparo

National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) chairman Francis ole Kaparo has been asked to rein in politicians from pastoralist communities who are inciting residents to invade farms owned by white settlers in Laikipia County.

Rift Valley Council of Elders chairman Gilbert Kabage claimed some of the politicians were also inciting their supporters to invade farms that were bought by land-buying companies in Mai Mahiu in Naivasha, Nakuru County, from white settlers.

“As elders we are greatly disturbed by the silence of Mr Kaparo when politicians are inciting residents to invade private farms claiming that these are ancestral lands.

“We urge him to crack the whip and take action against such politicians,” said Mr Kabage.

Speaking in Nakuru on Sunday, Mr Kabage said that if the government allowed such invasions, it would lead to tribal clashes as was witnessed in the country in 1992.

“Some politicians have realised that they have not done anything in their constituencies and time is not on their side.

“They have now organised goons to cause chaos by inciting residents to invade private property,” claimed Mr Kabage.

The elders said this was a calculated move to evict non-pastoralists from parts of Laikipia and Nakuru counties ahead of the next General Election.

They asked Mr Kaparo to visit the conflict zones in the two counties and help resolve the disputes.