Narok: Narok governor Patrick Ntutu has reiterated that the government will leave no stone unturned until peace is maintained at Angata Barikoi area in Trans Mara South Sub County. The area that borders Migori and Narok counties has had on and off clashes, where the two warring communities have been fighting over the ownership of about 6,300 acres of land.
According to Kenya News Agency, in April this year, five people were killed and several others left nursing injuries after residents engaged the police officers deployed to maintain peace in the disputed land in a running battle. Ntutu, who visited the area, stated that the county government is working closely with the people's representatives and security personnel to establish a permanent solution in the area.
"Never again shall there be a fight on this land, we want to establish clear land ownership and those who are evicted will be compensated accordingly," he said, adding that they are addressing various issues pertaining to the land, both recent and historical. He was in the area to commission several projects implemented by the county government, including three classrooms, a computer laboratory, and a health center.
The governor was accompanied by Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johannah Ngeno and Angata Barikoi Member of County Assembly (MCA) Joseph Koech. Ngeno reiterated that those evicted from their land will be duly compensated and called on the community to maintain peace, even as the government continues to resolve the land issue in the area.
The expansive land is believed to belong to the Maasai Community, who welcomed the Kipsigis community to come and live in the land in the early 1990s, according to a previous court ruling. However, both the Maasai and Kipsigis communities have claimed the ownership of the land, alleging that they inherited the land from their forefathers who lived there before the onset of title deeds, or any government document.