Tension is rising among residents living along the Meru-Isiolo border, specifically in Gambela area, due to an ongoing land ownership dispute.
More than 700 members of the Tawakal Farmers Society, who collectively own over 400 acres of land in the area have appealed to the Government for intervention after some of their officials allegedly colluded with private developers and sold portions of the land.
The society, which has 1,932 registered members, secured the land in 2014, according to documents in their possession.
This was before private developers began arriving, following the opening of the area by the Horn of Africa Road, which is currently under construction.
Hussein Gillo, a resident, stated that over 700 members had occupied the 400 acres until 2021, when Halkano Galgalo, then the society’s chairman, allegedly colluded with private developers, aided by local authorities, to sell the land.
Since then, he said, private landowners have resorted to using firearms to drive them out whenever they attempt to use the land.
He called on the Internal Security Department to investigate their claims and ensure justice is served.
Ogila Gillo accused a former chairperson of the society, along with some administrative officers and members of the DCI in Meru, of conspiring to sell the land to private developers. These developers are now in the process of constructing hotels and ranches in the area.
According to Mohamed Abdi, the land is ancestral to many of the residents and was later registered under the society since official government gazettement of the land ownership had not yet occurred.
He claimed that powerful forces have now taken over and are using firearms to intimidate locals who try to access the land. Numerous human rights violations have reportedly been witnessed and experienced by residents.
Dhahabo Guyo said that the community is prepared to pursue all legal avenues to prevent further land grabbing, including going to court in search of justice. She urged the Ministry of Interior cabinet secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to visit the area and listen to the residents’ grievances.
