Narok land fraud is increasing in the subdivision of group ranches, causing domestic violence, killings and property destruction, the DPP's office has said.
Senior prosecution counsel Zachary Omwega said violence can result when ranch members realise land was not allocated legally.
He said the cases involve the illegal addition of members to group ranches and increasing the acreage of a few individuals beyond the agreed size when subdividing.
Omwega said when a group ranch is registered, it should have a list of the beneficiaries and minutes of the meeting in which members agreed on each one's allotment.
These agreements are mostly violated as group ranch officials get more land than members, creating tension and conflicts, he said.
“We have an increasing number of land cases in court where group ranch members are accused of benefiting from huge pieces of land, bigger than those of their members,” the DPP officer said.
He urged those with court cases to come forward and supply credible evidence, saying most people who file are compromised by influential people to back off or tamper with evidence.
“My department is keen on dealing with land issues to ensure everyone gets their rightful share. I urge residents not to be compromised when testifying in court so they can get justice," Omwega said.
He said in some cases, people forge documents to include the dead in group ranch members' lists to benefit from the land.
“It is a criminal offence to make false documents to benefit from the land. A crime of this kind can attract up to 14 years imprisonment,” Omwega said.
Some group ranches like Naroosura, Leshuta and Oldekesi are yet to settle despite members having individual title deeds. Some members have filed cases in court alleging land fraud by ranch officials.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
