Land acquisition controversy in Kitale triggers National Security Council intervention
The National Security Council has convened to address the persistent issue of land grabbing in Kitale, focusing on both public and private prime land. This move comes as Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murkomen, publicly condemns land grabbing and warns against the involvement of political goons and officials allegedly sanctioning such invasions.
The local administration is set to submit a comprehensive report to Murkomen's office, which will guide the National Security Council in deciding the appropriate action to address the land grabbing problem in Kitale. The report will detail the illegal acquisition of prime national, county government, and private land in Kitale, including the Kitale Museum and public spaces such as the county commissioner's offices and the county government headquarters.
According to Murkomen, cartels are responsible for the land grabbing in Kitale. He has put corrupt land officials on notice and vowed to act against this problem. The insecurity in Kitale is exacerbated by unchecked drug abuse and the sale of counterfeit alcohol.
To curb the continuous illegal acquisition of land in Kitale, the National Security Council is taking action. The Council is using the highest-level mechanisms to stop land grabbing, demonstrating high-level government attention to this crisis.
In addition to the National Security Council's efforts, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is taking legal action. With court rulings, the EACC has secured orders preserving and reclaiming illegally grabbed public land in Kitale, notably a 4-hectare parcel originally for school use and a government house that was unlawfully taken and demolished. Those found to have aided in fraudulently acquiring public land will be prosecuted and jailed.
The local security agencies have been directed to act decisively and arrest the insecurity situation in Kitale. This coordinated response involving top-level government bodies — the National Security Council, the Ministry of Interior (via CS Murkomen), and EACC — aims to halt land grabbing and restore illegally alienated public land in Kitale.
The National Security Council, with high-level government attention, is taking action to curb the continuous illegal acquisition of land in Kitale, addressing the issue of health, general news, and crime-and-justice. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) is using policy-and-legislation, including court rulings, to prosecute those involved in the illegal acquisition of public land, focusing on theKitale Museum and public spaces.
