Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) has announced plans to recover over 200 acres of land in Kitale which was allegedly grabbed by private individuals.
Speaking on Wednesday, July 23, KEPHIS Board Chairman Joseph M’Uthari urged those currently occupying the disputed land to vacate
He stated that the agency was taking decisive action to reclaim its property regardless of any developments on the land.
"As the KEPHIS board, we have decided that we are going to recover the grabbed land and if there is anyone who knows that they are occupying land owned by KEPHIS should vacate.
"Even those who have developed the land should remove the structures and any of their belongings because KEPHIS will be reclaiming its land to continue with its mandate,” he said.
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Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Samson Ojwang' reassured KEPHIS of full support from local authorities and security agencies.
"I want you to assure the KEPHIS board that we will help them recover the land from those who grabbed it; security agencies will also be ready to protect the land after its recovery," the official affirmed.
This comes a week after The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) obtained court orders to reclaim approximately four hectares of land belonging to Kitale School.
In a statement on Wednesday, July 16, EACC said the land, valued at Ksh50 million, had been illegally seized and converted into private commercial property.
According to the agency, the land was designated for educational purposes but was wrongfully allocated to the late Nathaniel Tum, who was then the Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association.
"The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) has obtained court orders to preserve approximately 4 hectares of Kitale School land valued at Ksh50 million.
"The land, originally designated for educational use, was illegally allocated in 1994 to the late Nathaniel K. Tum, then Chairperson of the Parents Teachers Association, in collusion with former Commissioner of Lands, Wilson Gachanja," the statement read.
On Wednesday, July 9, the Environment and Land Court sitting in Kitale issued preservation orders to secure the disputed land and halt all commercial activities pending the full hearing and determination of the case.
The orders include a temporary injunction against any dealings on the property and immediate suspension of rent collection from businesses on the land.
The court further directed that all rental income be preserved in a joint interest-earning account until the final determination of the case.
Additionally, the EACC was granted leave to appoint a receiver to oversee the property.
"This ruling marks a significant milestone in public asset recovery, reinforcing EACC’s commitment to protecting public resources and upholding the integrity of public institutions," the statement concluded.
