The National Assembly Lands Committee has launched an inquiry into how the Migori County government allocated 900 acres of land to a company linked to the wife of former governor Okoth Obado.
The probe follows a request for a statement presented in the House by Nyatike MP Tom Odege, who is seeking a detailed explanation from both the county government and the National Lands Commission (NLC) regarding the deal.
The Migori County government intends to lease the 900 acres of Muhuru Kadem/Macalder.498 (LR 17955) for 30 years to Ms Global Search Solutions Limited, a company owned by Hellen Odhiambo, the former governor’s wife.
The company reportedly plans to revive cotton farming and establish a gold processing plant on the land.
While presenting the statement in Parliament, Mr Odege highlighted that the Macalder gold belt is rich in minerals, particularly gold, making it a strategic national resource.
He said that such resources should be exploited for the benefit of the nation, the local community and future generations in line with Article 69 of the Constitution.
“By virtue of its mineral richness, this land falls under the national government’s mandate, which holds it in trust for the people of Kenya and oversees it through the National Land Commission,” he said.
Mr Odege further noted that the proposed land is part of the 6,165-acre Macalder Forest, which was gazetted by the Cabinet Secretary for Forest and Climate Change under Legal Notice 85/2023.
National Assembly Lands Committee Chairman Joash Nyamoko and his deputy Jayne Kihara during a fact-finding mission in Eldoret on 7 June 2024.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
The committee, chaired by North Mugirango MP Joash Nyamoko, is expected to establish the circumstances under which the county government intends to lease the land to a private entity, despite it being gazetted as a forest under national jurisdiction as per Articles 63(f) and (g).
The committee will also examine the role of the National Lands Commission in the leasing process and determine whether the county government adhered to constitutional procedures regarding the administration of national land.
Mr Odege has called on the committee to establish the measures the NLC is taking to safeguard public land from improper leasing by county governments.
Reacting to the statement, Migori Woman Representative Fatuma Mohamed questioned why land traditionally known for gold production is being leased for cotton farming.
“I’m a resident of Nyatike, the exact location of the land in question. The registration certificate shows that it has been given to Hellen Obado, wife of the former governor. The intention seems to be gold mining, but they are claiming it is for cotton. Residents will not accept any activity other than gold mining in an area historically known for it,” she said.
Suna West MP Peter Masara welcomed investors but stressed that the county government must follow proper procedures, including public participation.
“If research shows this land can produce cotton, the community should be consulted. Any allocation must consider the residents’ needs,” he said.
He warned that if the land is granted for political reasons rather than public interest, it will face opposition from the local population.
Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula directed the committee to table its report to the House within two weeks.
