Squatters seek MP’s arrest over land dispute

By Steve Mkawale

The row over the sub-division of the 14,000-acre Banita Settlement Scheme is still brewing. Some squatters have called for the arrest of Rongai MP Luka Kigen.

They claim that Mr Kigen incited some squatters against the Provincial Administration after he allegedly failed to have names of his supporters on the list of beneficiaries.

But Kigen, who the Nakuru District Security Committee has said is under investigation for incitement, denied the claims.

"The Provincial Administration has been intimidating and warning me not to attend meetings concerning the Banita Settlement Scheme in my constituency," he said.

At the weekend, Kigen attended a meeting of squatters that later turned out to be a demonstration against the sub-division of land.

Squatters who spoke to the Press in Nakuru on Tuesday claimed the MP had planned to kick out some beneficiaries allegedly because they were not from his constituency.

Councillors Paul Chebor and Joseph Yatich defended the allocation board and said the MP’s opposition was meant to delay the exercise.

"Kigen had promised his supporters they would benefit from the scheme even though they were not squatters. That is why he is opposed to the sub-division," said Mr Chebor.

Mr Yatich said politics had delayed resettlement that started in 1997.

Local DC Kang’ethe Thuku said the District Security Committee might summon the MP over alleged incitement. The DC said Intelligence reports indicated that the MP has held meetings to incite the squatters to engage in lawlessness.

He said they had gathered reports that the MP wanted certain communities evicted from the controversial land.