Following the evictions of about 57 families from the disputed land at Kaptobongen village in Chesumei constituency, Nandi County, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang has appealed to the national government to intervene and ensure the affected are assisted.
In a statement, Governor Sang said since the court had made a determination on the ownership of the land, the national government should consider the option of identifying an alternative piece of land to resettle the affected families. He said a meeting was convened on the farm led by Lands CS Farida Karoney and the then Nandi County Commissioner Samuel Kimiti and other top officials and it was agreed that alternative land to compensate the families was to be identified, and compensation for the owner of the said land. “Am asking the national government to swiftly intervene and ensure that justice is done, for both the owner of the land and the affected families are duly assisted.”
The 27-acre piece of land situated at Kaptobongen area in Kiptuiya ward, Nandi County, belongs to the family of the late mzee Kipkosgey arap Cheptulu. According to Chesumei sub-county OCPD Bosita Omukongolo, the settlers acquired the land illegally, and the security team fulfilled court orders. The settlers failed to prove to the judges their claims of ownership as they have no documentation of the said piece of land. The land case had dragged on in court since 1979.

Following the evictions, Luhya leaders expressed their concerns, given that most of the affected were are Luhyas. Led by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, the leaders said Deputy President William Ruto shouldn’t visit Western province. Speaking to the press accompanied by Busia woman representative Florence Mutua, Saboti MP Caleb Amisi, Makadara MP George Aladwa, nominated MP Godfrey Osotsi and ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna on Thursday, Malala said students will be affected by the evictions, and noted that leaders were quick to defend students in Mau forest sitting for the national exams, but have failed to do so in the Nandi evictions.
However, Nandi Governor Stephen Sang blasted the notions, “I urge political scavengers and busy bodies from neighbouring Counties who intend to create ethnic animosity in my County using this national government operation to cease forthwith.”