Directors of the troubled Ng’ati Farmers Cooperative Society in Naivasha have fled their homes in Maella trading centre following threats from members.
This comes as a group of youth invaded farms belonging to eight of the directors on Wednesday.
The society has had protracted court battles over leadership.
Last year, it sold 3,093 acres in Narasha to Kengen and each of the 581 members got Sh415,000.
Though majority of the members accepted the money, a splinter group rejected it and has moved to court, seeking to remove current office bearers.
The raid by the group, said to have the support of politicians, has raised tension in the area.
The society’s chairman Patrick Karanja said his farm was among those invaded by the youth, who said they are sponsored.
Speaking to the media in Naivasha town yesterday, he said the youth destroyed crops worth millions of shillings.
“We have informed the police and they have moved to the ground. But we fear for our lives and we have been forced to move from our homes,” he said.
Karanja said two years ago, a director was shot dead and those behind the killing have never been arrested.
He said last week, private farms were invaded and one of the youths arrested and charged.
“He was released on Sh100,000 bond and this angered his colleagues and masters, who have now moved back into our farms in large numbers,” Karanja said.
He said they are awaiting the High Court’s decision over the leadership of the society.
Karanja said land has been subdivided and the owners given their title deeds.
A police officer who declined to be named said security officers have been sent to the area.
He said although the situation is tense, the youth have been chased away from the farms.
“We have kicked them out and we are warning members of the public inciting others that they will face the full wrath of the law,” the officer said.
