A Maasai community leader has sued the county government of Narok for encroaching on more than 700 hectares belonging to the community.
Kitilai Ole Ntutu moved to court as the registered proprietor of the land known as Mara/Nkareta situated in Nkareta Ward within Narok County.
In his suit, Ntutu claims that he has occupied the land with his family for many years and has never been dispossessed by anyone. He contends that sometime in January 2014, the county government of Narok deployed its rangers to encroach and prevent access to the piece of land.
Ntutu noted that his land has never formed part of the forest areas as alleged by the county government. He says he fails to understand why they forced their way in his land.
In response, the county government through its lawyer alleged that the community had settled on forest reserve land and were not entitled to ownership of the land. However, Ntutu refuted the claims, citing that he legitimately owns the land and even produced documents to support his allegations.
He said that the community has been ignored and they have never received any information in accordance to the restriction of the land. Ntutu asserted that the land had been an agricultural land, but he has not been able to carry out farming activities.
Ntutu told the court that the county rangers have been carrying out illegal logging and forest destruction since their deployment on the land. He wants the court to issue permanent orders restraining the county government of Narok through its rangers from trespassing or accessing the land.
Hearing of the case continues today where the county government of Narok is expected to make further submissions.