Tension high in Naivasha after residents invade large-scale farms

Tension is high in Ndabibi in Naivasha after over 300 area residents invaded several large-scale farms in the area.

Armed with all manner of crude weapons, the farmers have embarked on tilling sections of the land to the anger of the owners who were ready for planting.

The most affected are Moi Ndadi, Ndabibi and Kosovo areas with the invasions happening just days after herders invaded Utheri Wa Lari farm in Mai Mahiu and torched the farm’s office.

In Ndabibi, the peasant farms that claim that part of the land belongs to the community have embarked on planting, raising tension in the area.

One of the affected farmers, Samson Kimutai, said that he had leased over 40 acres from one of the owners only for the locals to invade it.

He said that this had affected his plans as part of the land had been tilled and was ready for planting before the locals invaded it.

“These criminal gangs are armed with all manner of crude weapons and they don’t seem to fear police and their numbers are increasing by the day,” he said.

Kimutai added that the invasion had caused anxiety among large-scale farmers who were involved in maize and wheat plantation, adding that police were of no help.

Naivasha sub-county commissioner Mutua Kisilu confirmed the invasion but was quick to add that more police had been dispatched to the affected areas.

He said that some of the peasant farmers were tilling and planting at night, adding that it was a matter of time before they were kicked out and their leaders arrested.

“We have received some cases of land invasion in parts of Ndabibi and we have dispatched more police officers to deal with those involved,” he said.

Kisilu denied that police were overwhelmed by the high number of invaders, adding that many were using the cover of darkness to farm.

One of the area residents, Bernard Karanja, said that some of the lands belonged to the community and were illegally allocated to large-scale farmers.

“We have waited for years for the courts to resolve disputes around these farms and we have decided to start farming as we cannot wait any longer,” he said.