Multinationals Confiscated our land, we want it back - Kipsigis Elders

Kericho, Saturday, May 13, 2023

KNA by Kibe Mburu/DAIZY Chebet

The Kipsigis Community elders took to the streets of Kericho Town, in a Peaceful demonstration demanding reinstatement of their vast land occupied by the Multinational Tea Estate companies in Kericho and Bomet Counties.  

The hundreds of elders who carried placards and chanted slogans matching along the streets, presented their petition to the County Commissioner's office, demanding compensation for the injustice meted against them by the British, who they claim confiscated their land.

According to the Kipsigis Community Elders Vice Chair, Mr. Paul Kipkirui Langat, a land lease agreement to the Multinational Tea Estate companies had expired and urged the government to commence a legal action to get back the land.

The elders rejected the 15 percent share offer recently promised by Finlays Company, that sold the Tea Estate to a Sri Lankan investor, saying the community deserved to be granted the whole piece of land, which they reiterated was initially theirs.

"We are giving the Multinational Tea Companies a 14-day ultimatum, to show proof that they own the land by providing the title deeds. Otherwise they need to surrender the land back to their original rightful owners," said Langat.

The other Kipsigis clan leaders present at the demonstration included their Secretary General, Joel Kimeto and Lawyer Godrey Sang, who vowed to continue protesting until their grievances were acted upon.

Meanwhile, the Kapsaos Divisional Assistant County Commissioner (ACC), Ms. Janet Mlongo, received the petition from the Kipsigis Elders and promised to deliver their demands to the Kericho County Commissioner, Mr. Lesimam Michael, for necessary action to be taken.

Recently, the National Land Commission (NLC), in a Gazette notice, ruled that a land re-survey at the Multinational Tea Estates, be conducted to establish the actual acreage.

The Multinational Tea Estate companies affected by the NLC verdict, include Ekattera, (formerly Unilever), James Finlay, George Williamson, Mau Tea, Sotik Tea Highlands and Sasini.

The NLC also directed that extra land found after the re-survey should revert to the Kericho, Bomet and Nandi County Governments, to hold it in trust on behalf of the local communities.

NLC further stated that the land leases which initially stood at 999 years should be realigned with the 2010 Constitution and adjusted to 99 years.

 Courtesy; K.N.A