Kisumu County Deputy Governor Ochieng Owili and county officials inspect the disputed land.[Photo/Brian Onyango]
The County Government of Kisumu on Tuesday stepped up to settle the land ownership feud allocated for the construction of milk cooling plant in Kaloleni area, Muhoroni Sub-county.
The land allocated for the construction of the milk cooling plant has had disputes with the surrounding community members regarding ownership legitimacy and the way it was acquired.
The ongoing feud has seen a number of complaints being filed in Kisumu Law Court to get the milk company construction area relocated from the Kaloleni to else where a situation that has derailed the construction work at the site due to interference by several court orders.
The residents have complained that the land was illegitimately acquired. They reiterated that the milk firm will rests in their family soil leaving them in a difficult situation. They have cried of their inability to carry out agriculture which they depend on due to their grabbed land.
This attracted Kisumu County Deputy Governor, Ochieng’ Owili who visited the construction area on Tuesday aiming at getting the goodwill of the community.
He urged the neighboring residents to provide total cooperation to the milk firm operations as he was going to look into the matter himself. He reminded the rebelling community of the benefits the milk firm was going to impact in the area saying they will be prioritized during jobs allocation and infrastructure development.
“For too long there have been tussle on land ownership over the parcel of land allocated for the development of the milk cooling plant in this area. That’s why I am coming in to make things smooth. We are not here to make anyone lose and we haven’t forgotten you,” said the deputy governor during the meeting with residents.
The residents however said they will temporarily agree to The Deputy Governor call to wait until he notifies them on the way forward soon as he promised.