MPs halt activities on controversial 1,500-acre Moi University site

The MPs have stopped agricultural activities on the disputed 1,500 acres of land belonging to Moi University.

The same land is claimed by a Nigerian squatter group.

The National Assembly’s Land Committee visited the land to assess the situation following a petition submitted by the squatters.

The committee, chaired by Mugirango North MP Joash Nyamache, ordered a halt to all agricultural activities until the investigations are completed.

In the petition, the squatters complained about unlawful eviction and land grabbing by powerful individuals.

“Our information suggests that some leaders in this area are involved in land reclamation. We will summon all persons connected with this matter to get to the bottom of the matter,” Nyamache said.

Previously, Vice-Chancellor Professor Isaac Kosgey found himself in a dilemma after being questioned by MPs over the illegal leasing of the land.

The squatters, who were reportedly evicted in the 1980s, said a private company was at the center of the looting.

Led by David Kemboi, James Chirchir and James Sitienei, they said the disputed land was their ancestral land.

However, the university claims that it owns the property and has title to it.

VC Kosgey appeared before the committee with legal counsel Petronila Chepkwony

The MPs wanted to know how the land was leased and who owned the leasing company.

Kosgey said the rental was an order from the president that he had to follow.

“The same directive from the President was given to Egerton University and we had to follow it, but within the framework of the law,” he said.

At some point he had to ask for a break because the matter was “too hot” for him.

The land was leased to the company for five years and the company had to pay the university 24 million shillings annually.

Kosgey described the squatters as strangers who were unknown to the university.

“We have title to his land and there has never been any dispute over it. It was donated by the East Africa Tanning Extract Company with the support of former President Daniel Arap Moi. We have had no problems with squatters on this land,” he said.

The MPs also wanted to know whether the university had followed the correct procedure in acquiring the title deed.