Governor, Church agree to dialogue over land

Migori Governor Okoth Obado (right) with Homa Bay Diocese Vicar General Michael Odiwa at Ulanda High School last Friday, when they declared their intention to end a dispute over land. [PHOTO: STANLEY ONGWAE/STANDARD]

Migori, Kenya : The Migori government and the local Catholic Church have agreed to have dialogue over two parcels of land that had sparked controversy between them.

Governor Okoth Obado and Homa Bay Diocese Vicar General Michael Odiwa said they were ready to have talks that would see the long-standing dispute brought to an end.

The two institutions have been engaged in a spat over ownership of more than 150 acres situated at Kitere Polytechnic in Rongo and at Karalang in Uriri.

Confirming the intended talks, Fr Odiwa, said the Church would host Mr Obado for talks to end the stand-off that has lasted more than two years.

PEACEFUL SOLUTION

“The Church believes in peaceful solutions and that is why we want the talks that will address the dispute we have with the county government,” said Odiwa.

Obado said his government was not involved in any fight with the Church and insisted that the underlying issues about the contested parcels of land needed to be ironed out amicably.

“My government has taken cognisance of the fact that it cannot sideline the Church in its operations and the truth is that the Church and public governance are inseparable,” said Obado.

Last month, Obado ordered Works officials to move to one of the parcels at Rapogi market and level ridges that had been prepared for planting sugarcane by the Church, leading to protests