Government land purchase plan in Samburu divides locals
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Security officers in Samburu County are pursuing bandits who shot dead a police officer before aiding the escape of eight remandees en route to Baragoi.
The government's plan to buy more than 4,000 hectares of land for a security installation in Samburu has divided the local community in Losesia area.
Some members of the community have opposed the sale of 4,675 hectares to the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government —citing concerns over transparency, community land ownership rights, and long-term impacts.
The ministry is on the verge of acquiring the 4,675 hectares of land in Samburu East for the establishment of a state-of-the-art security camp and a training facility.
The group ranch system in Samburu—where communities collectively own and manage large tracts of land— has historically been a source of pride and cohesion for Samburu pastoralists.
However, the sale proposal has exposed cracks within the community, with some members reportedly in favour of the deal, citing potential government compensation, and others reluctant to have their land sold.
"We were not adequately consulted," said Lesiol Mesikayu, a community elder and a group ranch representative opposing the plan.
"This land is ours and it is our heritage, and therefore, selling it without full consensus will jeopardize our cultural identity and our livelihoods as pastoralists living in Samburu East," Mr Lesiol added.
'Lease, don't sell'
While some members oppose any form of land alienation, Mr Lesiol believes a lease plan would strike a balance between development and safeguarding community interests.
"If the government must take our land, then a lease arrangement would be better than selling. It will allow the government to implement its projects while ensuring the land ultimately remains in the hands of the community," he added.
There is also confusion over the exact number of hectares involved. While a recent gazette notice indicates that 4,675 hectares are earmarked for sale, an earlier notice had specified 2,185 hectares, leaving the members unsure of the exact number of hectares that the government intends to acquire.
"We are in the dark in the whole process. We do not even know the exact number of hectares between 2,185 and 4,675 that is earmarked for sale," said Felix Letirop, who identified himself as a member number 1551.
"After this sale where will we go? There are fears that community members may invade Samburu National Reserve to graze their animals and that will jeopardize tourism and conservation," he added.
In April last year, locals sought the Senate intervention in efforts to stop the government's plans to acquire Losesia community land for security use.
The group ranch members denied being involved in the plans to give out the land for development purposes.
The petition seen by the Nation asked the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment and Natural Resources to investigate whether the proposed land acquisition was mapped out and valued by the National Land Commission (NLC) as required.
"There appears to be no evidence that the Losesia community was consulted or engaged in the process," reads the petition in part.
Samburu is currently leasing vast tracts of land from group ranches for use by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), as well as over 80,000 acres for use by the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) in Samburu North.
Through a gazette notice dated March 25, the NLC notified the public that the Losesia community land in Samburu East will be acquired to host the ambitious project, in one of the State's commitments to enhancing security infrastructure in the country.
"In pursuance of the Land Act, 2012, Part VIII, the National Land Commission (NLC) on behalf of the Ministry of Interior and National Administration gives notice that the National Government intends to acquire the following parcel of land for the development of its Security Infrastructure and training facility in Samburu County,” partly read the gazette notice dated March 25, 2024.
Intelligence hub
Sources told the Nation.africa that the proposed security installation is set to serve as a regional intelligence hub, a training facility for security staff and coordination, and deployment of security personnel.
Sources further revealed that the facility would be equipped with advanced surveillance technology, training facilities, and accommodation for senior security personnel.
For now, the government is on the verge of finalising the acquisition of over 4,675 acres of land for security use.
The latest Gazette Notice indicated that the government was prepared to hear claims to compensation for all parties involved beginning January 15.
"Every person interested in the affected land is required to deliver to the National Land Commission on or before the day of the inquiry a written claim to compensation, a copy of identity card (ID), a copy of Personal Identification Number (PIN), land ownership documents and bank account details," read the Gazette Notice dated November 2024, which is signed by the NLC chair Gerishom Otachi.
While specific details regarding the process of acquisitions and timeline of the project have not been disclosed, government officials invited any interested parties to visit the NLC offices to check out on the ongoing acquisition process.
The government has reportedly allocated funds for compensation, though details of the amounts remain unclear.
gondieki@ke.nationmedia.com