The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) has offered to provide legal assistance to a woman seeking compensation for part of her land that she offered to be used for the setting up of Simbirir Girls Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County.
LSK North Rift branch chairman Joshua Maritim notes the matter came up during the recently concluded Legal Awareness week after the woman, Paulina Chepkemoi, complained that she was yet to be compensated, over three decades since she gave up the land to pave way for the school.
In a media briefing in Eldoret town, Maritim said they are in the process of appointing an advocate that will help the woman get justice.
“This case requires to be addressed as the woman has been to various government offices but no assistance has been given to her.
“We are now in the process of appointing an advocate to handle the matter as the case dates back to when Sambirir was being set up.”
– LSK North Rift chairman Joshua Maritim
Maritim further said the woman who was also affected by the 2007/08 Post Election Violence now has no place she can call home.
According to the 70-year-old woman, she gave out the land around 1987 when a donor from Europe offered to help set up the school for the locals.
She notes that the agreement was that the part of her land used for the school project would be compensated alongside other benefits from the donor.
“I have had problems following up on this matter because, at some point, some people invaded the school and burnt all documents that would have supported my claim for compensation.
– Paulina Chepkemoi.
Chepkemoi who is now homeless hopes that with the support of the LSK, she will finally get justice by being compensated for the land she inherited from her parents.
