The Trans Nzoia County Government has issued a one-week ultimatum to residents of Birunda market in Trans Nzoia West, demanding that they provide documentation proving their ownership of the land, including allotment letters.
Jane Rose Mutama, the County Executive Committee Member for Lands and Urban Planning, announced this decision during a tour of the market lands.
Mutama explained that the action is necessary to curb land grabbers who have encroached on large portions of land originally intended for public utility purposes. This move follows a situation where unknown individuals fenced off the only area used by the market for its activities, leaving the affected residents in dismay.
During a demonstration by the affected market-goers, one expressed their frustration, saying, “Look at us; we relied on the market for our daily upkeep, but now we have been rendered helpless as our only source of income has been grabbed.”
Land fenced off
Locals also claim that known individuals hastily fenced off the affected pieces, raising questions about the allocation process. One resident shared an incident where a piece was fenced off, and their attempts to inquire led to one person being arrested, with the police claiming they were acting on behalf of an influential individual.
Responding to distress calls from business owners, Mutama acknowledged that the lack of planning has been a significant obstacle in securing many markets in Trans Nzoia County. She also assured that her ministry is actively working to rectify the situation, including addressing the challenges faced by the Birunda market.
“We have many markets in the county that have not been planned, including Birunda, leading to encroachments. We are collaborating with all stakeholders to secure all public land,” the County Executive said.
Oscar Cheptagat, the market chair, led the locals in expressing their concerns, stating that over two acres of land intended for market use have been taken over. The business community members further said they have been forced to sell their goods along road reserves.
“We have been forced to conduct our business along road reserves after being evicted from land meant for business. Individuals are fencing off large chunks of land that were meant for our use,” Cheptagat lamented.
Land grabbing menace in Trans Nzoia
Locals added that the land grabbing has disrupted the county government’s plans to build a modern market for them. They further urged the county government to reclaim the land to enable the completion of the project, emphasizing the lack of essential services such as water and latrines.
The issue of land grabbing is a pervasive concern in Trans Nzoia County, with reports indicating that 80% of public land has been taken over.
Moreover, most of these lands are held by influential individuals, preventing their return to public use. Notably, the railway land remains the only successfully recovered public piece from land grabbers.
