Murgusi residents led by MCA demonstrate over a grabbed 12 acre public land

By James Gitaka

 

Residents of Murgusi, Ng’enyile Ward, in  Turbo Constituency are  up in arms  after  a  12 acre public utility owned  by the  Uasin Gishu County government  was grabbed  by unknown people.

 

The  residents  say the parcel  of land that was bought by the  former Governor Jackson Mandago was  meant for the Construction of an Agricultural College three years  ago  to benefit  the  farming  community  within  the area however  a private developer  has  since  been tilling the said land.

 

 

“This farm  is next to Murgusi Primary and Secondary schools , it was  bought by the former governor Jackson Mandago after  the  community  pleaded with the county government to construct an Agricultural College but it’s said there is an unknown person who has been tilling the land every year planting  acreages of  maize . As residents we want to know the person who has been tilling the land and under whose authority,” said Adrian Koskei, a resident of Murgusi.

 

 

“We have information that the unknown person comes all the way from Ziwa ,We have a primary and secondary school here that could be benefiting from the same and not an individual,” he added.

 

“We want to assure the  person who has planted maize  this season harvesting close  to 500 bags  every year , as a community it’s  our  turn we will help him harvest” He  added.

 

 

 

The  community has  urged  Uasin Gishu  governor Jonathan Bii to intervene immediately and  that the  said  parcel of land  should be used  for  its intended use in order to  benefit the community.

 

 

“if there is a project that was supposed to have  been constructed on this farm we urge the  county government of Uasin Gishu to  with immediate effect embark on the development  project , We will not allow the unknown person to continue tilling the land and residents are left  suffering,” said Brian Kipruto.

 

 

Jael Jelimo says “We want to know what happened to the farm we want Governor Jonathan Bii to intervene before this land is completely grabbed from the community; we will fight for it to the end,”

 

 

Paul Sambai, a resident, wondered how the County Government could have bought the farm and given it to an individual for agricultural purposes.

 

 

“This time round he will till the land, harrow, plant crops but harvesting we will do it for him since the land is a public utility meant to benefit Murgusi residents,” he said.

 

 

Pius Terer Village elder Kapkatet Village says Former governor Jackson Mandago and the  Current governor Jonathan Bii should  help them by disclosing  the persons behind the land  grab and that they should inform the community  when the intended development project at the 12 acre  land  will commence  ,”

 

Ng’enyilel Ward MCA Benjamin Natui said he will ensure that the farm is reverted back to public use since it’s a public utility.

 

“Today I have joined my people in wanting to know the person tilling the public land which was bought by the former regime led by Governor Jackson Mandago. How can an unknown person  continue tilling and harvesting maize in a public land ?,under my leadership I will not allow it to happen,” said the Ng’enyilel Ward MCA

 

“As their leader, I support my people, that the farm must be used by residents,we have two schools Murgusi primary and secondary school that should  be prioritized  instead of just an individual person benefiting ,” he added.

 

He said he would not allow the unknown person to till the land farther.

 

 

“As your MCA I support you 100 percent,this should be the last time for the farm to be tilled,we should decide if we will allow the school to till it, or use it for the less unfortunate and if the  intended project of an  Agricultural institute is still on it  should commence  with immediate effect,” the MCA added.

 

He says he is proud of the  residents for ensuring that their voice is heard.

 

“This is not only the farm that I will fight for, we also have P1 farms which we have agreed with the residents  they should  revert  back to the public. No public utility will be stolen under my watch,” he affirmed.

About Author