Concerns have been raised over the double allocation of land at Chepchoina and Mwisho farm schemes along the West Pokot and Trans-Nzoia Counties which has led to tension in the area during this planting season, and Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto has urged the government to deal with the persistent land tussle.
There have been calls for government officers handling the Chepchoina land cases to be investigated for evicting people from their land that they have owned for over twenty years. Over 500 people in the area have been affected.
This comes as squatters at the schemes have raised concern that top government officials from Trans Nzoia were forcing them out of their allotted portions of land with the aim of resettling other people.
The government has been urged to address land disputes along the border of West Pokot and Trans Nzoia Counties where squatters are being evicted unlawfully to ease tension and insecurity.
Speaking to the press in Kapenguria, Member of Parliament Samuel Moroto called on the government to come out clearly over the matter saying that the land disputes have contributed to insecurity, conflict and displacements in the area. “Police are using excessive force and live bullets and there are no court orders. What happened in Samburu, Kapedo, Sukuta should not happen here,” he said.
Moroto said the government should come up with a permanent solution over the matter that is getting out of hand. “Last week two houses were burnt while tycoons who are cultivating the farms are being protected by security officers,” said Moroto.
The legislator called on the national and the County government of Trans-Nzoia to amicably solve the issue and unite the communities living in the area. Moroto condemned the unlawful evictions that are perceived to be selfish interests by a cult of rich people taking advantage of the poor.
