Residents of Ilkerin group ranch allege injustices in land adjudication

Narok,

Wednesday October 11, 2023, 

KNA by Ann Salaton/Amos Maine

Residents of Ilkerin group ranch in Loita land adjudication section, Narok South Sub County have called on the State Department of Lands to intervene and resolve the looming land crisis in the area, a few days after the members got their land allotment numbers.

The residents who held a peaceful demonstration at Ilkerin Shopping Center, accused a group of ranch officials of collaborating with some land officials to grab a big chunk of their land.

One of the residents, Kisiara Ole Murkuk said the allocation of land was marred with corruption and unfairness as some families were allocated the most unproductive parts while other families were given fertile ground.

He further claimed that the group ranch officials had allocated themselves big portions of land that they were selling to people who were not members of the group ranch.

The most affected part, according to Murkuk, is the Parkereyian area, which they alleged has already been sold out by the group ranch officials.

“Today we are here to call for justice. Most of the productive part of our land was taken by the group ranch officials and other parts sold to non-members. We feel this is not fair as this is our ancestral land,” he said.

Another resident Simon Ole Mashati reiterated their disappointments after they had fully trusted the group ranch officials, who had committed to doing a good job.

He lamented that even Persons Living with Disabilities in the area were allocated on the hilltops, where it is difficult to access, which is against their earlier agreement.

Ms. Noolkisaruni Kiara alleged that the committee members had allocated land even to their under-aged children against the wish of the group ranch.

The demonstrators called on the leadership of Narok County and the national government to intervene and help them bring solutions before the crisis escalates.

The Loita land had five adjudication sections namely: Ilkerin, Omesuti, Morijo, Entaseekera, and Olorte which are in the process of demarcation.

Narok County Commissioner Isaac Masinde said the issue is being investigated before he releases an official report on the same.

County; KNA