Fear has gripped landowners in Naivasha following reports of increased land invasions in the Ndabibi area by squatters allegedly from Njoro.
In a seemingly well-orchestrated scheme, criminal gangs have been invading private land, allocating themselves plots, and proceeding to plant their crops on the properties illegally.
Some have even gone ahead to lease out grabbed land to third parties. Naivasha Deputy County Commissioner Kisilu Mutua has now issued a warning to the gangs, saying, they will be arrested and prosecuted.
“Our message is very clear; it is either you produce authentic papers showing ownership or leave,” said the administrator.
The group is said to have invaded land belonging to a high-ranking government official in former President Daniel Arap Moi’s administration, Mr Benjamin Kipkulei.
The agricultural potential of the Naivasha land in the area is driving the encroachment, with farmers enjoying bountiful harvests.
Mr Mutua, on the other hand, attempted yesterday to reassure real landowners that their properties would be preserved.
“Everyone who has rented a farm must present a lease agreement.” “We cannot let the rule of the jungle reign supreme,” the administrator cautioned.
Former Governor Lee Kinyanjui launched a verification process in 2021 to determine the true owners of the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC) land in Ndabibi.
