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Civic leaders give “aliens” notice to quit farms

West Pokot councillors in northwestern Kenya on Sunday issued notice to quit to all non-Pokots residing in the agriculturally rich Trans-Nzoia district. The notice, backed by some 73 councillors, gave the “aliens” 60 days “to pack up and go”, local newspapers reported. At a meeting held in Cheptuiya in northwestern Kenya and presided over by Pokot County Council chairman David Moiben, Kapenguria Deputy Mayor Jacob Lorema and the chairman of Chepareria Town Council, Edward Soprin, the leaders resolved that since Trans-Nzoia was initially Pokot ancestral land, it was only fair that the nomadic community “returns back home”. “We see no difference between white settlers and black settlers because they are all aliens and hence the more reason why we should evict them and repossess our land,” the councillors were quoted as saying. They advised those evicted to seek compensation from the government.


This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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