Fresh row erupts at Kajiado's 46,000-acre Torosei ranch

A bitter row has erupted at a vast group ranch in Iloodokilani in Kajiado West Sub-County after it emerged that more than 60 percent of the original members have died.

Members of the 46,000 acres Torosei Group Ranch are now up in arms against a cabal of national government administration officers whom they accuse of colluding with a section of land officials. The members say the administration officers have been on a grabbing spree using one of the officials following the failing health of his two top colleagues.

The Chairman of the ranch, Mr Maimpi Ole Katie, and his treasurer, who have been acting in the position since 1989, were taken ill five years ago after losing their eyesight due to old age.

The health concerns of the two officials has now become a major cause of unrest among members, a gap they say has left them exposed to fraudulent dealings at the vast ranch.

An audit report of the group activities shows that 309 members were originally registered in 1989, with more than 200 now deceased. 

The report raises concern over dwindling membership, with irate members now demanding an updated list to include hundreds of beneficiaries.

Title deeds issued to non-members 

The new row emanates from the ongoing issuance of title deeds to members who are said to be non-residents of the ranch. 

The report implicates a former chairman of OlKejuado county council, who comes from the ward, and several security officers who have served in the area over the years.

At a highly charged meeting in Torosei on Monday, the members vowed to protect the land from the ongoing sub-division.

The community, at a public Baraze a fortnight ago, formed a special committee to investigate and halt the illegal sub-division processes and engage relevant agencies to restore sanity.

The community selected Mr Stephen Likama, a retired chief, to chair the team together with two other retired senior chiefs, Mr Joel Sayianka and Mr Judah Ncharo. It also included the chairman of South Rift Land Owners Association (Solaro) Mr John Kamanga.

"The land matter is largely due to the inability of aged officials...No election was held to confirm them and natural health issues have affected them. The affairs of the ranch are being run by one person alone and have been prone to manipulation by land grabbers,” said Mr Likama.

The county government has weighed in and declared that the mandate of the devolved unit, in as far as the sub-division of the land is concerned, was ignored.

On Monday, Governor Joseph Ole Lenku attended a community meeting and categorically declared that the county government would do anything to protect the land.

"We are aware of some security officers who have worked in cahoots with unscrupulous officials to sub-divide the land without involvement of the county government. Those are illegalities that must be tamed immediately."