For several months, residents of Marigat and Mogotio Towns in Baringo County have been raising alarm over land-grabbing activities that seem to be undermining local property rights and exploiting vulnerable communities.
The affected areas have seen a series of land disputes, particularly involving undeveloped plots belonging to orphans, widows, and families who have long awaited rightful succession proceedings.
One such dispute has stirred tension in the area, reportedly involving a senior official within the Baringo County government.
The alleged land grabber, Mr. Geoffrey K. Kosgey, is the Chief Officer for Roads and Public Works in Governor Benjamin Cheboi’s administration.
His name, which has previously been linked to numerous land disputes, is now a focal point of the latest land-grabbing claims, with many locals accusing him of exploiting his position for personal gain.
Reports suggest that he has been exploiting his office to intimidate county land officials, coercing them into revealing plots that are undeveloped or in the process of succession, with a particular focus on properties that belong to orphans and widows.
Residents of the area have spoken out in frustration, claiming that Mr. Kosgey is transporting building materials to some of the contested plots using county vehicles.
According to witnesses who spoke out under the condition of anonymity, a county vehicle with the registration number 30CG291A has been spotted frequently in the area, raising further questions about the role of the local government in the situation.
One case, in particular, has raised eyebrows.
A plot in Mogotio Township, reportedly belonging to a deceased woman and her orphaned son, is said to have been developed in just two months.
This, despite the fact that the family has yet to undergo the necessary succession processes, which would have established the rightful owner of the property.
The swift development of the land has led to suspicions that corrupt practices may have been at play, with locals suggesting that kickbacks could have facilitated the rapid progress.
It is also claimed that some of the county’s own staff are too fearful to speak out against these practices, citing intimidation and the frequent invocation of Governor Cheboi’s name as a means of exerting control.
“People don’t want to speak out because the name of the governor is often invoked in these cases. They’re worried about their jobs and safety,” one local government worker revealed to us.
“We are asking ourselves, why should this person, with such a powerful office, use the name of the governor to intimidate and acquire these plots?” he added.
While the matter remains unresolved, residents of Marigat and Mogotio are adamant that they will not stand by while their land is taken.
We will be closely monitoring this developing story and will continue to provide updates as more information comes in about Mr. Geoffrey K. Kosgey and other corrupt officials involved in these land-grabbing activities.
