Government Negotiates Resolution for Long-Running Narok Land Dispute
Narok, Kenya – The Ministry of Lands has confirmed that structured negotiations are underway to resolve a decades-old land dispute in Narok County involving the family of the late former Nyanza Provincial Commissioner (PC) Isaiah Cheluget and current occupants. Lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir stated that the government intends to acquire the land from the Cheluget family to allow the 600 residents, who have lived there for over 15 years, to remain permanently.
The conflict dates back to the late 1990s when residents reportedly forcefully occupied the 5,800-acre parcel, subdivided it, and started constructing homes. Subsequent court rulings from both the High Court and Court of Appeal had favored the Cheluget family. President William Ruto, while visiting Sogoo in Narok, reassured residents that the government is committed to a peaceful resolution that respects the rights of all parties. He directed the newly deployed Amalo Deputy County Commissioner to liaise with relevant departments to finalize the process swiftly.
Principal Secretary Korir emphasized that the negotiations, led by former PS Nancy Kirui Cheluget and her siblings, are progressing positively, dismissing misleading media reports suggesting otherwise. He reiterated that the government is dedicated to addressing historical land injustices in Narok, ensuring that current residents maintain secure tenure while respecting the legal rights of the landowners. Authorities hope that the purchase and reallocation of the land will provide a long-term solution to the longstanding dispute.