- The 29-year dispute is over the Moi Barracks Recruits Training School and the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation in Eldoret lands.
- Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim expressed gratitude to the Ministry’s leadership for their efforts to resolve the dispute once and for all.
Image: KDF/X
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has expressed his commitment to resolving the perennial land tussle over the Eldoret military land.
Duale emphasised the need for the military and the claimants to find a lasting solution to the dispute.
This, as he vowed to pursue legal action against fraudulent individuals, land grabbers, and imposters he claimed are using fake title deeds to lay claim to the land.
Speaking when chaired a consultative meeting with the elected leaders from the county and officials from the National Land Commission (NLC), the CS noted that his ministry is dedicated to maintaining good relations with the communities hosting military establishments.
“We have received directives from His Excellency, President Dr. William Ruto, to expedite the resolution of this issue. We are pleased with the progress we have made in addressing this stalemate,” Duale said.
Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Chelilim expressed gratitude to the Ministry’s leadership for their efforts to resolve the dispute once and for all.
Chelilim was hopeful that the initiative would significantly improve relations.
“The case has dragged on for long but we are grateful that we are now seeing light at the end of the tunnel. We are grateful for showing leadership and goodwill in bringing this matter to a close,” he said.
Defence Principal Secretary Patrick Mariru who was also present affirmed the Ministry’s support for all legal mechanisms aimed at reaching at a lasting solution and fostering strong military-civilian relations.
Vice Chief of the Defence Forces (VCDF) Lieutenant General Charles Kahariri was also in attendance.
Turbo MP Janet Sitienei alongside NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi, and CEO Kabale Tache were also present.
Other notable attendees included Assistant Chief of Defence Forces in charge of Personnel and Logistics (ACDF P&L) Maj Gen David Keter, Chief of Infrastructure Brigadier Titus Sokobe, Chief of Legal Services Brigadier Yvonne Kerubo, and chair of the Adhoc Committee on Lands Brigadier (Rtd) Foustine Sirera, alongside various senior military and county officials.
In March last year, Duale held a similar meeting at the Defence Headquarters, Nairobi.
The 29-year dispute is over the Moi Barracks Recruits Training School and the Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation in Eldoret lands.
It involves about 1,200 families claiming ownership of 4,000 acres near Moi Barracks.
The residents are members of the Leseru Tebeson Farmers Society which claims to have been allocated the land by the Ministry of Lands in 2006.
The area is known as Kilombe Nine Farms.
KDF had reported blocked farmers' access about three years ago and clashes erupted.