The government of Kenya is set to reclaim 10,000 acres land grabbed from Miwani Sugar Factory. Agriculture principal secretary Hamadi Boga confirmed the report during an appearance before Parliamentary Committee on and said that the Ministry of Lands has already directed the Ministry of Agriculture to immediately lodge the original title together with the supporting documents.
Nominated Member of Parliament Godfrey Osotsi appeared before the Parliamentary Committee and supported the move and, said that the sale of Miwani Factory land was fictitious with records indicating that the land was not legitimately sold.
Acquiring the land back
The Ministry of lands was also accused of being a stumbling block in acquiring the land back from private hands with Committee members demanding to know the directors of Crossly Holding Limited which is associated with Kibos Sugar Company Chair Sukhwinder Singh Chatthe.
Crossley Limited Company through a lawsuit claim to have acquired the company nucleus through an auction in 2007 and wants the court to issue an eviction order to the current occupants of the land and also be awarded special damages of Sh 6bn.
The Company which is being represented by James Orengo claims the massive parcel of land registered as LR No 7545/3 is currently occupied partly by trespassers and illegal settlers. Alternatively, the firm wants Sh 4.6bn paid to them to cover the current market value of the land with interest and any other loss of income incurred until the petition is heard and determined.
Kenya Sugarcane Growers Association (Kesga) Secretary-General Richard Ogendo, however, accused Crossley Holdings Limited of irregularly attempting to defraud the State-owned miller of its prime land.
Mr. Godfrey said that the move to lodge the original title will lead to the cancellation of the provisional title issued to Crossley Holdings Limited and pave way for the Transfer of the land to Miwani Sugar Factory.
