Likuyani MP Dr. Enoch Kibunguchy has strongly opposed plans to hive off part of forest land in the area for resettlement purposes. Addressing hundreds of residents at Sango in his constituency, Kibunguchy alleged that the government was plotting to resettle people on part of the 8, 000 hectares of land in Nzoia and Turbo forests without the knowledge of locals.
“If there are such plans then people from Lugari and Likuyani who have protected the forest for many years but still don’t have land must be considered instead of giving the land to foreign beneficiaries. We’ve got so many squatters in Likuyani and Lugari who must be given first priority before anyone else,” said Kibunguchy.
The legislator claimed that individuals privy to the plans have been going around the two constituencies conning unsuspecting locals by promising to allocate them a piece of land in the forest.
Earlier, Kibunguchy told Deputy President William Ruto to have such plans stopped when the latter toured the area over the weekend.
The legislator argued that such plans could benefit the rich at the expense of poor landless families from the area.