An attack on the 22,000-acre Utheru wa Lari farm in Mai Mahiu on Monday, February 24, has sparked controversy, with leaders including Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria pointing fingers at Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga and Narok Senator Ledama Ole Kina who addressed the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) meeting in Narok on Saturday, February 22.
The farm has been a focal point for violence over an ownership row between Kikuyu and Maasai communities living in the area for over twenty years, with several cases filed in court by both parties. In 2015, the Court of Appeal ruled in favour of the Kikuyu community living on the land but the clashes continue to persist.
Kuria claimed that the group of youth who attacked the farm; reportedly burning fences, destroying crops and injuring the farm chairman were 'gangs inspired by Raila and Ledama'. Speaking to Kenyans.co.ke on Tuesday, February 25, however, Senator ole Kina tore into Kuria as he rubbished his allegations.
On his Facebook page, Kuria maintained that the attack was a product of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) fronted by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila which he has criticised in recent weeks.
"Raila Odinga and Ledama Ole Kina inspired gangs attacked the 22,000-acre Utheri wa Lari farm, destroyed the farm chairman’s vehicle and beat him leaving him fighting for his life in hospital. All in the name of the BBI. Long live the BBI. No loss of human life can stop Reggae," he wrote.
The group composed of tens of youth retreated from the farm after police were deployed to the area.
Images shared on social media showed police officers on the ground seeking to control the situation as farmers assessed the damage to their crops.
Ole Kina, however, dismissed Kuria's assertions that he inspired the gang, observing that the Utheri wa Lari farm controversy had been running for decades.
"That is total [expletive]. I want you to quote me on this. Total [expletive]. Those are the last kicks of a dying horse,
"A former minister once sent helicopters to Utheri wa Lari and they shot our people, what does he know about that?" he posed.
Ole Kina explained that his quest was not one of violence but rather, inspired by the need to correct historical injustices suffered by the Maa community.
"It is completely inconsequential to our pursuit of truth and justice. I want them to know that I will be steadfast in pursuing this issue with fortitude," Ole Kina maintained.
He further dismissed claims from some leaders that his comments at the Narok BBI meeting had been inciteful, urging the leaders criticising him to attend the forums.
"If they want to talk about the BBI meeting they should have been there. They cannot discuss a meeting they did not attend," he stated.
