This archive report was first published on 17 October 2021.
Shareholders of Kagaa Farmers Cooperative Society are facing a land ownership crisis after being asked to pay Sh300,000 to retain ownership of their plots in the cooperative's farms.
The cooperative owns prime plots near Kabati and Kenol markets, with Block Two land allocated to 900 members and land at Santa More for 3,000 members. Block Two is adjacent to the Kenol - Nairobi highway and next to where the government plans to construct more than 500 affordable houses.
However, the 274 shareholders who attended a meeting convened by Liquidators Peter Wanjohi and Suleiman Wandati on Saturday walked out in protest, claiming no proper explanation was given on how the debt was arrived at.
According to the shareholders, led by Charles Kamau, they had already paid Sh38,950 for the titles to the plots, and were now being asked to pay again. "How come we are being asked to pay for the land when the majority had paid the title deed fee to our former officials many years ago?" Kamau asked.
The plots at Block Two were demarcated in 2006, and the members have been pleading with the management to issue titles. The liquidators were appointed in February 2017 and are seeking about Sh300 million.
As the dispute continues, Esther Mwihaki has called for state intervention to help the members get justice. In December 2020, Murang’a MP Sabina Chege petitioned Parliament to help get the government to probe the society's affairs.
Published on October 17, 2021.
