Kajiado: A section of Il Keekonyokie community members has faulted the Ministry of Lands over its handling of the disputed 2,600-acre Kibiko land in Kajiado County, valued at more than Sh100 billion, accusing it of making unilateral decisions while ignoring claims of irregular title processing.
According to Kenya News Agency, Moses Parantai, the chairman of one faction of the Keekonyokie Community Trust, stated that the matter was still pending in court and had not been settled. Parantai criticized the Principal Secretary for dismissing their concerns as propaganda, alleging that officials within the Ministry are involved in fraudulent activities instead of addressing the issue.
Parantai also cautioned Kenyans against purchasing land at Kibiko, emphasizing that any titles currently being issued were not legitimate. Their concerns were highlighted after Lands and Physical Planning Principal Secretary Nixon Korir dismissed allegations linking senior officials to fraudulent subdivision and titling of the land held in trust for the Il Keekonyokie community.
Korir, in a statement, maintained that the Ministry had acted lawfully, citing that a court judgment had been implemented by the State Department. He criticized those dissatisfied with the ruling for spreading misinformation, asserting that the property, registered under the Keekonyokie Community Trust since 2012, has been embroiled in multiple court cases since 2014. The Ministry also mentioned that a surrender of title was registered in July, facilitating subdivision based on a members' register and approvals from relevant authorities.
However, Kajiado County Lands CEC Hamilton Parseina accused senior officials at Ardhi House of ignoring legal and governmental protocols. He alleged that fraudulent processing of titles began on August 28 and concluded on September 15, with dates backdated to July 14, just before the Court of Appeal suspended dealings on the land.
Parseina warned that most intended beneficiaries were non-community members and private companies, effectively disinheriting the Keekonyokie. The ongoing Kibiko land dispute has divided the Keekonyokie Community Trust into rival factions, with recent protests highlighting accusations against Lands' officials of collusion with cartels to seize the land.
Residents are urging President William Ruto to intervene, warning that unresolved issues could escalate into violence. Lawrence Ndalati, treasurer of the Keekonyokie Community Trust, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it concerns their heritage and without government action, they risk losing everything.