The Kenya Defense Forces has been accused of grabbing almost 27,000 acres of communal land in Isiolo County.
Ministry of Defense Principal Secretary Dr Ibrahim Mohamed was at pain while explaining circumstances under which the land was possessed by KDF.
Dr Mohamed was was appearing before National Assembly Lands Committee under the stewardship of Rachael Nyamai.
“This land was issued in accordance with the provisions of the trust land. It was done after the area was surveyed,” Dr Mohamed told the committee.
He noted that the survey was done in 2004 and a title deed IR 6183 issued in 2006 to the then PS in charge of Finance in trust of the Department of Defence.
Isiolo Woman Representative Rehema Jaldesa through a petition in the National Assembly has accused KDF of grabbing the land, which she says is ancestral and that has been used by the community for farming activities.
“Considering that the arable nature of the land makes it the bread-basket of Isiolo and its residents have been using it for small scale and large scale farming, the impending eviction would disrupt their economic activity, subject them to impoverishment and create conflict over the resources” said Ms Jaldesa.
The MP claimed that the community had only donated 100 acres to the military due to their presence in the area but the KDF team illegally expanded.
She said that over 30,000 people have been displaced due to the alleged grabbing, adding that the government should order for repossession.
KDF trains in different parts of the country. Isiolo, Marsabit, Samburu and Laikipia all host the military training grounds.