Police in Nandi are on high alert after the abduction of a 72-year-old woman over a suspected land lease agreement with a Gold mining firm.
Paulina Jeptoo Korir 72 has not been traced at her home in Chepyagan village, Kibisem location since Friday, September 22, 2023, after she was allegedly duped by his son to be taken for enlisting for the elderly cash transfer.
She had been asked by his son Alfred Magut to accompany him to Maraba Township in Tindiret sub-county to help her in the registration of the government cash transfer program for the elderly.
“She boarded a Boda boda motorcycle together with Alfred and surprisingly was joined by Shadrack Melilei (stepson) who all boarded the same motorcycle and sped off,” Elizabeth Jelagat her daughter and family spokesperson said.
“As a family we became suspicious but since the two men are part of our family we just kept quiet."
The woman had woken up early hoping to be enlisted and boarded the boda boda at 7 am outside her homestead at Kibisem.
Jelagat, 48, the second-born child of the missing woman narrated further that in the evening, she was surprised the two brothers returned home without their mother.
On inquiring from them, they alleged she had been left behind in a home in Kapsabet due to a heavy downpour and considering her poor health; she couldn’t withstand the chilly weather.
The woman, a mother of 8, is the first wife of Mzee Cheseret Korir, the man who has been at the centre of controversy with a British conglomerate, Karebe Gold mining company over land he had leased out.
Jelagat, the family spokesperson, alleged that their mother might have been kidnapped over a 15-year lease for the 2.3 acres she had entered with the mining company.
“We agreed with our mother’s decision to lease the small potion owned by our mother to the mining company. Seven of us endorsed the decision as it will benefit all of us and at least have our mum get decent living conditions,” Jelagat revealed.
Accompanying Jelagat were three other siblings; Justine Jepchirchir Korir, Sharon Jepkosgei Korir and Edwin Kiprob Korir who reported the matter to the county criminal investigation office in Kapsabet.
The old lady has so far received part of the pay-off from the gold mining company as the firm is constructing a modern family house for the woman and her children in a separate land.
Nandi County DCI commander Douglas Chikanda confirmed the incident saying they were liaising with police and “keenly following up” of the reported missing person.
However, family members claimed that their mother could have been kidnapped to be coerced to cancel or disown the lease she had voluntarily entered with Karebe Mining Company.
“We know there are people who have misled our father, Cheseret Korir 97, into declining to extend the lease with Karebe Gold mines…now they are trying to influence the cancellation through coercion, which is unfair to our family,” Jelagat charged.
Paulina’s son has allegedly been working with other forces to try and force out Karebe mining company from the area and get a replacement.
The mining company has invested hundreds of Millions of dollars in investment in Nandi employing over 800 direct employees in the Chemase area and providing direct support to the people under social corporate responsibilities.
“As a family, we urge self-seekers to stop misusing members of the Cheseret Korir family because since they started interfering with our relationship with the company, we have suffered psychologically and materially,” Jelagat added.
