Land Dispute Escalates: 80-Year-Old Mzee Claims Life in Danger as Defense Minister Issues Order
On Wednesday, CS Duale, in efforts to resolve a decades-long land dispute between the community and Kenya Defence Forces in Turbo, ordered Mzee Chepsilongei to surrender his title deed at the PS Lands Offices and the National Land Commission offices by Tuesday
Mzee William Too Chepsilongei, an 80-year-old, publicly addressed by Defense Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale regarding a 3500-acre parcel of land belonging to the Leseru Tebeson Farmers Society, has now expressed grave concerns for his safety.
Speaking after recording a statement at the Eldoret Central Police Station on Wednesday, Chepsilongei, Chair of the 503-member Leseru Tebeson Farm, alleges that remarks made by the Defense Minister Aden Duale have led to unidentified individuals surveilling him, instilling a fear for his life.
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He states, ‘The minister called out my name and urged the Kenya Defence Forces to monitor me, even inciting community members to take violent action against me. Should anything happen to me, the minister will be held responsible.’ Chepsilongei asserts that the society, comprising 503 members, lawfully acquired 1750 acres (LR: 27206/3) and 1850 acres (LR: 27206/4) in 2006, valued at 26 million Kenyan shillings at the time . He maintains that this land is distinct from LR: 27206/1 and KOFC 27206/2.
The society obtained allotment letters for parcels 52945/133 and 52945/134 on February 7th and 27th, 2006, respectively. Despite rent clearance certificates issued on June 15th, 2017, and titles in February 2018, local politics influenced the Department of Defense (DOD) to challenge the titles in September 2018.
Although the review process at the National Land Commission (NLC) has expired, restrictions were placed on the parcels, later lifted by a court order obtained by the Society. Legal battles ensued when DOD attempted to obtain superimposed titles, and the society’s produce was illegally harvested.
In response, the society filed Petition 7 of 2020. Attempts at Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from July to September 2023 were hindered by external interference. A proposed resolution, where the Society retains LR: 27206/3 and cedes 1650 acres of LR: 27206/4 to DOD, faced opposition from vested interests.
Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui has urged the government to ensure Chepsilongei’s fair treatment, given his legitimate title deed and the society’s lawful acquisition of the land.
On Wednesday, CS Duale, in efforts to resolve a decades-long land dispute between the community and Kenya Defence Forces in Turbo, ordered Mzee Chepsilongei to surrender his title deed at the PS Lands Offices and the National Land Commission offices by Tuesday a move Chepsilongei has strongly opposed vowing to fight for the Leseru Tebeson farmer’s society land.
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