Parliament has summoned the State Department for Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir over the alienation of 4,700 acres of public land in Ol Kiombo-Maasai Mara National reserve.
This came on a day the National Assembly Committee was told how Livingstone Ntutu, brother to Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, was raking in close to Sh1.4 billion in tourism revenue in light of a “suspect” court order that declared him the owner of the contested land.
The Lands and Physical Planning Committee on Tuesday summoned PS Korir after petitioners from Narok accused him of obstructing their quest for justice in reclaiming 4,700 acres of community land.
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The petitioners, who had appeared before the Joash Nyamoko-led committee, claimed that the PS was among a list of individuals who had become a thorn in their flesh, further claiming that he has been interfering with the surveyors employed by the community to prove that the land had been hived off from Maasai Mara.
“There is a lot of compromise surrounding this process when we are seeking justice. There are, however, people who we have issues with. They include the PS Lands Nixon Korir who we are very uncomfortable with being involved in the process. He has been interfering with surveyors …there are also surveyors from the Narok County Government,” said Anthony Leseyio.
Flanked by other community members, Leseyio said that the 4,700 acres which are a critical and economically vital section of the Mara, was at risk of being unlawfully carved out following a highly suspect ruling by the Court of Appeal.
The committee heard that a private individual namely Livingstone Ntutu, whose actions have for over 20 years been the subject of public outcry and protracted legal battles, is now claiming authority to collect revenue and control the land.
“This would amount to blatant abuse of judicial process, economic sabotage, environmental injustice and a betrayal of public interest. I urge this committee to investigate, intervene and take decisive legislative and oversight action regarding the illegal alienation and privatization of approximately 4,700 acres of public land in Ol Kiombo, situated within the globally treasured Maasai Mara National Reserve,” he said.
In documents tabled before the House team, the group noted that an allowance of the alienation of the land would lead to loss of Public Revenue and Tourism Assets given that Ol Kiombo is home to eight premium tourist camps and one key airstrip. They observed that it ranks among the highest revenue-generating regions for Narok County.
“Allowing private takeover would cripple essential revenue streams, affecting county service delivery and local livelihoods,”noted the documents.
They also argued that it went against Article 62 and 66 of the Constitution as the land in question was meant for conservation and public use and any alienation or privatization contradicts the law.
Further, the move, added Leseyio, could lead to Ecological and Wildlife endangerment as Ol Kiombo lies along critical migratory corridors and serves as habitat for endangered species.
“Privatization will open the door to unregulated development, fencing, poaching, and degradation of sensitive ecosystems.
It will also set a dangerous precedent for land grabbing as it will embolden future land grabbers, potentially targeting other national reserves, forests, school lands, and riparian zones. The cost to national integrity and environmental sustainability would be irreversible,” added the petitioner.
The petitioners now want the committee to summon key actors including officials from the Ministry of Lands, Narok County, Kenya Wildlife Service, Judiciary, and the National Land Commission for accountability.
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Parliament has summoned the State Department for Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir over the alienation of 4,700 acres of public land in Ol Kiombo-Maasai Mara National reserve.
This came on a day the National Assembly Committee was told how Livingstone Ntutu, brother to Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, was raking in close to Sh1.4 billion in tourism revenue in light of a “suspect” court order that declared him the owner of the contested land.
The Lands and
Physical Planning Committee on Tuesday summoned PS Korir after petitioners from Narok accused him of obstructing their quest for justice in reclaiming 4,700 acres of community land.
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channel
on WhatsApp
The petitioners, who had appeared before the Joash Nyamoko-led committee, claimed that the PS was among a list of individuals who had become a thorn in their flesh, further claiming that he has been interfering with the surveyors employed by the community to prove that the land had been hived off from Maasai Mara.
“There is a lot of compromise surrounding this process when we are seeking justice. There are, however, people who we have issues with. They include the PS Lands Nixon Korir who we are very uncomfortable with being involved in the process. He has been interfering with surveyors …there are also surveyors from the Narok County Government,” said Anthony Leseyio.
Flanked by other community members, Leseyio said that the 4,700 acres which are a critical and economically vital section of the Mara, was at risk of being unlawfully carved out following a highly suspect ruling by the Court of Appeal.
The committee heard that a private individual namely Livingstone Ntutu, whose actions have for over 20 years been the subject of public outcry and protracted legal battles, is now claiming authority to collect revenue and control the land.
“This would amount to blatant abuse of judicial process, economic sabotage, environmental injustice and a betrayal of public interest. I urge this committee to investigate, intervene and take decisive legislative and oversight action regarding the illegal alienation and privatization of approximately 4,700 acres of public land in Ol Kiombo, situated within the globally treasured Maasai Mara National Reserve,” he said.
In documents tabled
before the House team, the group noted that an allowance of the alienation of the land would lead to loss of Public Revenue and Tourism Assets given that Ol Kiombo is home to eight premium tourist camps and one key airstrip. They observed that it ranks among the highest revenue-generating regions for Narok County.
“Allowing private takeover would cripple essential revenue streams, affecting county service delivery and local livelihoods,”noted the documents.
They also argued that it went against Article 62 and 66 of the Constitution as the land in question was meant for conservation and public use and any alienation or privatization contradicts the law.
Further, the move, added Leseyio, could lead to Ecological and Wildlife endangerment as Ol Kiombo lies along critical migratory corridors and serves as habitat for endangered species.
“Privatization will
open the door to unregulated development, fencing, poaching, and degradation of sensitive ecosystems.
It will also set a dangerous precedent for land grabbing as it will embolden future land grabbers, potentially targeting other national reserves, forests, school lands, and riparian zones. The cost to national integrity and environmental sustainability would be irreversible,” added the petitioner.
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The petitioners now want the committee to summon key actors including officials from the Ministry of Lands, Narok County, Kenya Wildlife Service, Judiciary, and the National Land Commission for accountability.
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By Josphat Thiongó