Herders to get part of disputed land in order by NLC
What you need to know:
The land has been at the centre of a dispute between the Kenya Defence Force (KDF) and the livestock department in Isiolo County, with both claiming ownership.
- Dr Muhammad Swazuri, the NLC chairman, visited the site in Leparua village and announced that demarcation of the 300,000 acres would start next month to benefit 3,800 people.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere termed failure by the government to settle the community as a case of historical land injustice towards the group.
The National Land Commission (NLC) has directed that pastoralists who have occupied a disputed land for decades along the Laikipia-Isiolo border be allocated 25,000 acres.
The land has been at the centre of a dispute between the Kenya Defence Force and the livestock department in Isiolo County, with both claiming ownership.
Dr Muhammad Swazuri, the NLC chairman, visited the site in Leparua village together with the chairman of the National Cohesion and Integration Commission Francis ole Kaparo and announced that demarcation of the 300,000 acres would start next month to benefit 3,800 people.
HISTORICAL
Retired President Mwai Kibaki had in 2007 directed that the community be allocated part of the land but players in the livestock industry have been opposing the exercise, saying the land was a holding ground for their animals.
Mr Kaparo, however, said this should not be used as an excuse to block allocation of the land to people who have called it home for four decades.
Local leaders told Dr Swazuri that several eviction attempts have been made through the instigation of KDF’s School of Infantry based in Isiolo.
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo and Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere termed failure by the government to settle the community as a case of historical land injustice towards the group.
