At least one person has died while several others were injured on Wednesday, March 2, after a move by auctioneers to recover a 10,000-acre property went wrong.
Miwani Sugar Company Receiver Manager Francis Ooko told journalists that the auctioneers arrived at the factory accompanied by goons who provided security. They then stormed the offices and made away with crucial documents.
On getting wind of the raid, area residents rushed to the company to stop the auctioneers. Chaos erupted as a fight ensued between the two groups.
Two vehicles that were suspected to have been used to ferry the youth were set ablaze by the agitated residents.
Ooko claimed that the move by the auctioneer was unlawful as they had moved to court to appeal a ruling by an Environmental and Lands Court in Kisumu that granted private company ownership of a 10,000-acre piece of land owned by the government. The land is valued at over Ksh1 billion.
Information on the scuffle was brought to the attention of Parliament by Muhoroni MP, James Oyoo. Oyoo sought a statement from the Parliamentary Committee on Administration and National Security regarding the takeover and harassment of staff by the auctioneers.
"It is concerning that the management has not been served with an eviction or auction notices or court orders. Could the chairperson provide full disclosure on this matter, including details of the persons who instigated eviction and auction? " He posed.
His comments were reiterated by Tinderet MP Julius Melly and Kisumu Town West lawmaker, Olago Aluoch, who questioned why the officers in the police station in close proximity to the sugar miller turned a blind eye to the incident that resulted in fatalities.
"How could people who claim to be auctioneers enter into a government property, raid people, send away workers, and cause mayhem to everyone? Yet there is a police station net to the miller?" Melly posed.
On his part, Aluoch noted with concern the laxity of area police officers noting that while the melee was taking place, students at Miwani Estate Primary School were forced out of their school without their knowledge.
Established in 1970, Miwani Sugar Company was among the top sugar producers in Nyanza region until it was faced with financial constraints in the late 90s. Consequently, it was put under receivership in 2000 to protect the interests of the public and government.
However, the company ownership wrangles began in 2008, when an individual claimed that he allegedly bought it through an auction.
