Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto’s administration over the handling of a long-standing community land dispute in the county, vowing financial support to affected residents and calling for urgent national intervention.
Speaking during a public engagement in Nyakinywa, Natembeya pledged KES 10 million to families displaced from what he described as community land, accusing the national government of failing to protect vulnerable citizens.
The governor’s remarks come amid heightened tension in parts of Trans Nzoia following evictions linked to contested land ownership claims.
Residents have accused state agencies of enforcing evictions without adequate consultation, compensation, or clear resettlement plans.
Natembeya argued that the manner in which the exercise was conducted violated both the spirit and letter of the Constitution, particularly provisions protecting community land rights.
Addressing residents, the governor said the land in question historically belonged to local communities and should not be arbitrarily reclassified or repossessed without due process.
He accused the national government of prioritising powerful interests at the expense of ordinary citizens, warning that unresolved land injustices remain a major trigger of conflict in the Rift Valley region.
Natembeya’s pledge of KES 10 million, he explained, is intended to provide immediate relief to affected families, including support for food, shelter, and basic necessities as longer-term solutions are pursued.
He clarified that while county governments have limited jurisdiction over land matters—which largely fall under national authority—he could not stand by as residents suffered displacement and uncertainty.
The governor also called for a comprehensive audit of land ownership in Trans Nzoia, urging the Ministry of Lands and relevant commissions to clarify boundaries, titles, and historical claims.
He stressed that sustainable peace can only be achieved through transparent processes that recognise community land rights and involve residents in decision-making.
While the national government has maintained that evictions are conducted in accordance with the law, Governor George Natembeya insisted that legality must go hand in hand with humanity and constitutional safeguards.
He urged affected residents to remain peaceful, assuring them that his administration would continue to advocate for justice through legal and political channels.
By Creatorhub