This archive report was first published on 3 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, the Samuru Gituto Farmers' Cooperative Society in Murang'a County held its first annual general meeting (AGM) in 15 years, marking a significant milestone after years of leadership wrangles.
The cooperative, comprising mostly elderly members, had been embroiled in court cases and marred by the irregular sale of 1,700 acres of land.
However, following a Court of Appeal ruling on March 22, the senior citizens held their AGM at Ihura Stadium and conducted elections, vowing to fight for the return of the land sold illegally.
George Kuria was elected as the new chairman, with Phillip Wanyoike, John Wanyoike, and Evans Kagwi taking on the roles of vice-chairman, secretary, and treasurer, respectively.
Mr. Kuria vowed to fight for the return of the land, saying, "We shall strive to ensure that we get our land back and that every member will get his or her shares,"
The group thanked the Court of Appeal for overturning a judgment by a Thika court and the High Court, which would have resulted in the loss of 310 acres of land sold without the consent of the over 4,826 members.
According to the Court of Appeal, the sale of the land was a result of "... persons masquerading as leaders of co-operative societies and land-buying companies, causing considerable pain and hardship to humble and poor wananchi."
