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Nakuru elders oppose proposed sale of farms linked to Moi, Sunkuli

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Ex-President Daniel arap Moi with Baringo Senator Gideon Moi (left) at a past function. PHOTO | FILE

Kalenjin, Maasai, Turkana and Samburu (Kamatusa) elders, who are shareholders in two multi-million shilling farms associated with retired President Daniel arap Moi, have vowed to block the proposed sale and subdivision of the expansive land.

Apart from the former President Moi, other prominent trustees of the more than 5,000-acre Deloraine farm in Salgaa and 3,000-acre Technology farm on the outskirts of Nakuru town, are former Cabinet minister Julius ole Sunkuli, former Nakuru resident magistrate Haron Bomet, Retired Brigadier Wilson Boinet, senior chief Michael Arusei and the late Ezekiel Kipkorir.

Kamatusa Nakuru branch secretary David Sambai said Deloraine farm was purchased by the Rift Valley residents through the Rift Valley Development Trust at a price of Sh7.5 million.

“We are now warning those who are eyeing the land to desist from any further transaction because the farm belongs to Kamatusa and they are the ones who will decide on its fate and not few individuals,” he said.

“We are now telling those eyeing these two farms to think otherwise because the pieces of land  belong to the residents of Rift Valley.”

Mr Sambai urged Baringo Senator Gideon Moi, who is the elder son of the former President, to intervene and stop any further transaction.

“We want to thank retired President Moi for standing firm because were it not for his watchful eye, the land would have been sold long time ago,” said Mr Sambai.

He added that the elders would raise the matter with the retired President.

“Given an opportunity, we would still ask for his intervention as he is a wise statesman,” said Mr Sambai.

Nakuru Kamatusa chairman James Cheruiyot accused some trustees of planning to dispose of the land without consulting other stakeholders.

“We are privy to inside information that some few individuals want to grab the land and have already earmarked 2,000 acres for sale to private developers,” he said.

Mr Cheruiyot said the farm should benefit the four communities that raised funds to buy the farms, not few individuals.

“We want part of the Deloraine farm to be set aside for the construction the agriculture-based university since the region is best known for farming and this will boost food production,” he said.

“If we allow these farms to be leased out to few individuals, the profit accrued would only be shared amongst few rich men while the rest of the stakeholders will not benefit.”