West Pokot Erupts in Protest Over Alleged Land Grabs, Residents Demand Justice
“Our lands were subdivided and demarcated without our consent or any public participation. We demand the transfer of all land officials in West Pokot because they are corrupt and stealing our land,”
In West Pokot County, a wave of protests broke out Wednesday as elderly residents, accompanied by several younger members from Generation Z, took to the streets in the town’s administrative area. Armed with twigs and placards, the demonstrators rallied against what they allege to be the illegal appropriation of their ancestral lands.
The protest, staged outside Ujenzi House, was driven by grievances related to ongoing land demarcation activities allegedly overseen by the Lands Commission. The protesters voiced their concerns about the involvement of influential figures, who they claim are unlawfully acquiring land intended for compensation by the Kenya Electricity Transmission Company Limited (KETRACO).
Christopher Lorikatau, one of the vocal protesters, expressed his deep frustration over the lack of transparency and public involvement in the land subdivision and demarcation processes. “Our lands were subdivided and demarcated without our consent or any public participation. We demand the transfer of all land officials in West Pokot because they are corrupt and stealing our land,” Lorikatau asserted.
Lokitari Griefin further amplified the concerns, pointing to the troubling issue of multiple title deeds being issued for the same parcels of land. “There are multiple title deeds issued for the same parcels, each claiming different ownership. Why are they giving triple allocations for one piece of land, which will lead to conflict among those who bought the land?” Griefin questioned.
Human rights activist Kimutai Kirui, who led the demonstration, condemned the alleged impunity within the West Pokot Land Department and raised alarm over the encroachment on nearby forests. He also criticized the police for interfering with what he described as a peaceful protest. Praising Senator Julius Murgor’s office for acknowledging the grievances, Kirui expressed hope that the Senator would address the issue of land fraud in the Senate. He further urged CS Interior Kithure Kindiki to take decisive action against the corrupt chiefs involved in the alleged land theft.
Nominated MCA Mashana Cheruto also echoed the call for justice, condemning the corruption within the land office and the police’s attempts to stifle the demonstrations. Cheruto emphasized the peaceful nature of the protest, noting that the participants were unarmed and merely seeking their rightful claims. “The police targeted us unfairly. We were simply exercising our rights,” Cheruto stated.
In the face of being barred from picketing, the residents have issued a seven-day strike notice to the County Police Commissioner. They have warned that if their concerns are not addressed promptly, further land disputes are inevitable. According to legal provisions, a demarcation officer is required to provide at least seven days’ notice before commencing demarcation and recording claims, allowing all interested parties the opportunity to stake their claims and identify their boundaries.