By Jonathan Ameka
Maize farmers in Trans Nzoia County are up in arms after the County Government destroyed maize crop worth millions of shillings in a rural road expansion plan.
The farmers are protesting the action of the county staff to destroy crops on their farms without issuing any notice.
Douglas Mbati, one of the area farmers in Ndalu indicated the amount of losses incurred in destroyed crop was collosal and the actions of the county were tantamount to invasion of private property.
Staff from the county government were also spotted placing pegs meant to mark the road edges long after the damage had been done.
The county governments grader has since been spotted clearing areas that are meant to accommodate the new roads.
“We are not against road expansion or development but the county government did not give us any notice neither did they listen to our request for more time to properly harvest our crops,” Mbati said.
“The losses here are considerable and we are requesting Governor George Natembeya to compensate us. The county is putting the livelihood of many people at risk,” he added.
Further, the farmers are asking for a more consultative process to mitigate the likelihood of any similar future intrusions.
However, officials at the county’s Roads and Public Works department could not be reached for immediate comment on the matter.
