Residents of Tulwobmoi, Rongai Sub-County in Nakuru, have staged protests over the alleged grabbing of a 16-acre parcel of public land gifted to the community by former President Daniel Arap Moi.
In a televised interview on Tuesday December 16, residents claimed that the alleged land grabbers used the disputed title deed as collateral to acquire a bank loan.
The residents in protests demanded that the government should intervene to reclaim and return the land to the AIC Tulwobmoi church and local community.
The land was set aside in early 2000 for the construction of AIC Tulwobmoi Primary School, AIC Tulwobmoi Secondary School, and the AIC Tulwobmoi Church, facilities residents say have served generations in the area.
Cornelious Kemboi, a resident, claimed that private individuals now laying claim to the land possess a title deed allegedly issued for the same parcel donated by the former Head of State.
“Where will the people of Tulwabmoi and their future generations go to school and worship if the land is taken away?” Kemboi posed.
Another resident, Luka Tuikong, questioned the role of a local bank, claiming the institution issued a loan to the alleged land grabbers using the disputed title deed as collateral.
“Why did they give out a loan to land occupied by an institution?” Tuikong asked, adding that the bank failed to conduct a physical inspection of the property.
“If the bank officials had come to the ground, they would have seen permanent school buildings belonging to the primary school and church structures,” concluded Tuikong.
Also Read: Title Deed is Not Enough Proof of Land Ownership - Court
Residents further revealed they had written to the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Education, and security agencies, demanding an explanation on how public land meant for education and worship was transferred to private ownership.
The residents are now calling for the immediate revocation of the title deed and the restoration of the land to the AIC church.
The Tulwobmoi dispute mirrors a long history of public land grabbing in Kenya, particularly involving land reserved for schools, churches, playgrounds, and hospitals.
Earlier this year, the Ministry of Lands directed principals, headteachers, and communities in schools whose lands have been grabbed to direct documents and details to Ardhi House for reclamation.
