Mau Mau war veterans from Thika East have called on their county governments not to renew leases of land occupied by the whites within the region.
Speaking to this writer on Wednesday inThika town, the region’s Mau Mau War Veteran Association chairman Kibuuro Ntomburugu said the occupants should leave the farms to those who fought for the country's independence.
He said that the 99 years lease period for most of the farms has expired and the foreigners should surrender it to the county government.
“The new Constitution allows a land lease of 99 years and if the lease expires, the land should be surrendered back to the government,” Ntomburugu said.
He said thousands of rural communities previously occupying Kisima, Oldonyo, and Maranya among other farms in Thika East area were forcefully removed by colonialists.
“Despite the promise by the first government to issue the white highlands, we have never received them since independence,” the chairman added.
Mr Ntombura said that several veterans are living desperately as squatters at the mercy of their relatives or community even after fighting for the country's freedom.