Narok: It is a sigh of relief for the Maa community living near the Maasai Mara National Reserve after the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Lands Alice Wahome confirmed that the contentious 4700 acres of Olkiombo land was irregularly acquired.
According to Kenya News Agency, Wahome told the National Assembly Land's committee that the land was not surveyed before a certificate of ownership was issued to Livingston Kunini Ntutu, who is a first brother to Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu. 'If there are no survey records, then there is a problem. Sometimes documents can be misplaced, but in this case, it didn't exist,' said the CS.
Following the confession, a section of elders drawn from Narok West Sub County, where the National reserve is located, expressed their satisfaction and confidence with the land's department that is handling the issue. 'The CS's remarks were a big win to the Maa community. The people have been fighting to repossess the land in vain. Today we celebrate a significant victory in the fight against land grabbing and illegal encroachment,' said Mzee Joseph Kirokorr.
Mzee Kirokorr called on Narok West Member of Parliament Gabriel Tongoyo to continue pushing the agenda until the land documents in possession of Kunini Ntutu are revoked and the land is given back to the community. Meanwhile, another resident Mzee Henry Ole Tompoi praised CS Wahome for her firm stand saying the Maa people, who have always protected wild animals since time in memorial, will finally benefit from their conservation efforts.
'When the CS tells the parliamentary committee on Land that the title deed is illegal, it means our suffering is over, we are going to fully enjoy our conservation efforts,' he said. The elders called on the Ministry of Lands to swiftly implement the CS's directive by initiating a formal process for the revocation of the said title deed, so as to pave the way for the land to revert to the community.
Wahome's remarks are seen as a clear signal from the government that it will not tolerate illegal land dealings, offering a glimmer of hope to other communities facing similar land disputes across the country. The contentious land has been a heated subject between the Maasai community living near the National reserve and Kunini Ntutu, who recently won the battle in High court. The case is currently before the Court of Appeal.