Maasai community members from Transmara South Sub-county, Narok County, have stated that there is no conflict between them and their Kipsigis neighbors over the disputed 6,300-acre land in the Ongata Barrikoi area. However, they are calling on the government to step in and urgently resolve the issue to ensure fairness for all parties involved.
Speaking on behalf of the group through the Ongata Barrikoi Farmers’ Cooperative Society Limited, Chairman Ben Koyianto emphasized that while the Maasai maintain peaceful relations with the Kipsigis community, they expect their land rights to be fully respected. Koyianto reiterated that the Maasai are the rightful owners of the land, which has been passed down through generations, and pointed out that they
“In the presence of their lawyers, we came to an agreement to offer 1,500 acres of land to the Kipsigis community in exchange for them dropping their legal case. However, if they are not satisfied with this settlement, we reserve the right to withdraw our consent and reclaim the entire land,” stated Koyianto.
He also refuted allegations that the land had been sold to other individuals, asserting that the title deed is still securely held by the cooperative society. Koyianto emphasized that the land in question remains under their legitimate ownership.
Additionally, the chairman provided clarification regarding the historical land allocation. He explained that while the Kipsigis community was allocated land by their ancestors in the Ongata Barrikoi adjudication section, the disputed parcel—Ongata/Moyoi/2—actually falls within the Moyoi adjudication section, which is a separate and distinct area from the one originally allocated to the Kipsigis. This distinction, Koyianto pointed out, is crucial in resolving the land dispute and establishing rightful ownership.
Vice Chairman James Nkonya further clarified that the land in dispute was adjudicated in 1966 by the Maasai elders specifically for the benefit of the cooperative society. Following the adjudication, 113 members were granted title deeds for their rightful portions of the land. He emphasized that the cooperative society had legally defended its claim to the land, winning the case seven times in court, even after formally lodging complaints with various government bodies to resolve the issue.
Nkonya expressed the cooperative’s firm belief in the legitimacy of their ownership, citing their consistent legal victories as evidence of their rightful claim. He reiterated that the Maasai community, through the cooperative, has demonstrated unwavering legal and moral authority over the land in question.
Tensions surrounding the land dispute reached a critical point on Monday when land officials, following a court order, arrived to begin demarcating the agreed-upon 1,500-acre portion for the Kipsigis community. The demarcation process was met with strong opposition from local residents who vehemently protested the move. Unfortunately, the situation escalated into violence, resulting in the tragic deaths of six individuals and several others suffering injuries, including five police officers. This violent turn of events has deepened the crisis, highlighting the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the land dispute.