Tempers flare as governor meets farmers in Ndabibi land conflict
Residents of Kosovo follow proceedings during a baraza held at the troubled ADC farm in Ndabibi, Naivasha on July 26, 2016. Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui at the weekend convened a meeting at the farm to resolve fresh wrangles over the sub-division of the farm. PHOTO | FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The farmers calimed the group's founder chairman Kagimbi Mungai had contributed to their woes.
- Maela MCA Gathariki Kamanu said a number of those claiming ownership of the land are “imposters.
- Nkanatha warned the disgruntled members after some said they will block farming on the disputed land.
A meeting convened by the Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui to deliberate on land matters in Ndabibi, Naivasha was almost disrupted after a section of farmers heckled some of the speakers.
Naivasha Deputy Commissioner Jim Njoka had to intervene several times to calm the sagitated members of Ndibithi Farmers Society who claimed to have been locked out of the subdivision of the land.
They particularly took issue with the founder chairman of the group, Kagimbi Mungai, whom they accused of having contributed to their woes.
SUBDIVISION
But Mr Mungai defended himself, stating that all bona fide members of the group benefitted from the subdivision of the land that originally belonged to Lord Delamare.
“I have all the necessary documents showing that all the transactions were above board,” said the elderly chairman.
A member of the society, Sammy Kung’u, claimed that “some aliens sold their land,” adding that they will now move to the Supreme Court.
“We will not sit back and watch. We shall use all legal means to get justice,” he said.
But Maela MCA Gathariki Kamanu said a number of those claiming ownership of the 1,000-acre parcel of land are “imposters.”
NO LEGAL DOCUMENTS
“Majority of them have no legal documents to validate their claims. I, however, welcome their decision to seek legal redress,” said the MCA.
When he rose to speak, Governor Kinyanjui warned those inciting the famers that stern action will be taken against them.
“We shall not allow anyone to incite the farmers and the law agencies will deal firmly with such individuals,” said the Nakuru County boss.
TEAM FORMED
He formed a nine-member team that will work with land officials from the county to help resolve the long standing dispute.
Nakuru County Commissioner Joshua Nkanatha also warned the disgruntled members after some of them openly stated that they will block farming on the disputed land.
“Those who want to take the law into the hand should do it at their own peril. We are closely monitoring activities at this place,” said the administrator.
He asked those claiming that fake title deeds were issued to take up the matter with the relevant security agencies.
In the land row, more than 200 farmers claiming to be members of the Ndibithi Farmers Society say they were left out during the sub-division of the 1,000 acres land done more than 30 years ago.
Originally the land was 45,500 acres under Lerematesho limited (Delamere Company that formerly owned Ndabibi ADC complex).
CASH REFUNDED
According to Mr Kamanu, some 200 employees approached Lord Delamere in 1972 and he agreed to sell 1,500 acres to them in the first phase of the agreement.
“After the first purchase was successfully concluded, the employees approached the Delamere family with the intention of purchasing an additional 1,000 acres but the deal fell through after some of the members opted out,” explained the MCA.
The 1,000 acres was to be known as Matanya Njeru but after the split, members who had given out money for the purchase had their cash refunded in full.
The 44,000 acres were later acquired by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) which in turn sold 400 acres to Mwana Mwereri group and the 600 acres sold to a top State official.
