Recent land invasions
Legitimate landowners should be able to enjoy the use of their land without fear of encroachment, invasion or eviction. This order can only be subverted where government is absent, or dysfunctional. Kenya must therefore protect the right to property at all times if it has to maintain its place among the civilized nations of this century. Stealing or destroying property, unauthorized entry into private land and the use of force to evict people from their land is callous and criminal.
The above was part of a contribution I made for this column on 17th July, 2021 while urging government to step in and stop land invasions by cattle herders in Laikipia County. It remains relevant. It is even more so as we contemplate the repercussions that would visit us if the recent invasions of the Kenyatta family Northlands farm near Nairobi and the Vipingo sisal farm in Kilifi escalate. There would be a complete flare up of land conflicts and many Kenyans, within and outside government, would be caught up. This scenario would be worst in coast Kenya, the Rift Valley and in Central Kenya. These are the hotspots to historical land injustice claims in Kenya. The economy would collapse. It would take long for Kenya to recover as a nation since land-based grievances would enmesh it. This scenario must be avoided by whatever means. On this matter, there must be no lapse in judgement and vigilance by government; now and in future!