Two Members of Parliament (MPs) have asked the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to investigate the ownership of the controversial 66,000 acre Girima Ranch.
Kilifi North MP Owen Baya and his Ganze counterpart Teddy Mwambire made the move after River Oil Company claimed ownership of the extensive land.
The duo affirmed that they would ensure the ranch is not disposed of.
[caption caption="Cows drinking water at the Giriama Ranch in Kilifi"]
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Speaking about the ranch, Mr Baya stated that he would bring the matter to the attention of DCI so that the people harassing about 3,000 families living on the land are investigated and prosecuted.
"The office of the Director of Public Prosecutions should also initiate investigations against the directors of River Oil Company for allegedly obtaining a provisional title deed for the ranch and later used it to obtain a loan which they have since failed to pay," Baya exclaimed.
However, River Oils Company Limited noted that they obtained a provisional title deed after claiming the original title got lost and took a loan from the African Development Bank which now wants to sell the land.
Reiterating Mr Baya's sentiments, County Land Executive Dadu Karisa affirmed that together with other government institutions, they are still investigating the matter.
"The public is also in the course of seeking legal redress to stop the auction of the public land," Karisa mentioned.
On his part, the area MP, Mwambire stated that they are currently working on a court injunction to halt the planned auction.
"The ranch was advertised for auction by Garam Investments Auctioneers in Monday’s national dailies and (the auction) is supposed to take place at the offices of Five Eleven Auctioneers in Mombasa on August 6," he said.
He also pointed out that some cartels were planning to defraud the community of their land but vowed that he would do all he can to stop them.
[caption caption="Kilifi North MP Owen Baya addressing the media"]
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