The Ministry of Eldoret has issued a warning to Uasin Gishu locals against sub-division of land.
Speaking in Eldoret during a population stakeholder’s forum, a senior official in the ministry Dan Kalamba expressed concerns that the increasing population of people especially in towns is a major threat to the country's food production which is one of the government’s Big Four Agenda.
Kalamba noted that with increasing population, land that was originally used for farming is being sub-divided to allow for the construction of more housing units putting the nation’s food security at risk.
He insisted that locals must desist from subdividing their agricultural land as per a law passed in 2015.
“This region is one of the key food baskets and unless we remain firm and stop further subdivision of land, we risk being a food insecure nation in the near future,” said Kalamba.
Similar sentiments were shared by the North Rift National Council of Population and Development (NCPD) coordinator Moses Ouma who further said Uasin Gishu has no sufficient resources to sustain the growing population.
He challenged the county government to put in place measures and policies that will help contain the growth of its population.
“Population growth in this county is worrying and we need strategies on how to contain it. Working closely with county government and other stakeholders in this area is key and necessary,” noted Ouma.