Elders move to end wrangles over land earmarked for Narok Town expansion

William ole Ntimama. Maasai council of elders Friday waded into the raging leadership wrangles between the Narok County government and a group of politicians aligned to Mr ole Ntimama. The council of elders chairman, Mr Kasaine ole Esho, said they agreed that the wrangling over a proposed county plan to demarcate a 600 acre plot in Limanet for expansion of Narok town, would be top on the agenda of a meeting scheduled for January 24, 2014. PHOTO/FILE 

In Summary

• Saying the wrangles had threatened to paralyse operations at the county government and thereby hamper the development agenda, the leaders called for calm and dialogue, saying it was the best way forward to help lift living standards for locals.
• The council of elders chairman, Mr Kasaine ole Esho, said they agreed that the wrangling over a proposed county plan to demarcate a 600 acre plot in Limanet for expansion of Narok town, would be top on the agenda.
• The two groups had disagreed on the procedures used to establish county government offices at Limanet, a slaughter house at Ewuaso Ngiro and agricultural facilities at Rotian, without consultations with the locals.

By Nation Correspondent
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Maasai council of elders Friday waded into the raging leadership wrangles between the Narok County government and a group of politicians aligned to veteran politician William ole Ntimama.

Saying the wrangles had threatened to paralyse operations at the county government and thereby hamper the development agenda, the leaders called for calm and dialogue, saying it was the best way forward to help lift living standards for locals.

In a meeting held at a Narok hotel Friday, the leaders summoned Governor Samuel ole Tunai, Senator Stephen ole Ntutu, council of elders, and six local MPs, to a proposed meeting on January 24 at Ewuaso Ngiro trading centre, where a lasting solution will be sought.

The council of elders chairman, Mr Kasaine ole Esho, said they agreed that the wrangling over a proposed county plan to demarcate a 600 acre plot in Limanet for expansion of Narok town, would be top on the agenda.

Mr Esho noted two sides had emerged, one supporting Mr Tunai and the other from the Purko community led by Narok North MP Moitalel ole Kenta and Mr Ntimama, a former Cabinet minister.

He said the two sides have had tussles over the land which the latter says is communal land, a matter that has almost provoked chaos in the past few weeks.

The two groups had disagreed on the procedures used to establish county government offices at Limanet, a slaughter house at Ewuaso Ngiro and agricultural facilities at Rotian, without consultations with the locals.

Mr Esho urged residents to be patient as the problem was being addressed saying leaders must work together for speedy development.

He accused a section of leaders of using propaganda to incite locals against the Governor terming them as selfish individuals keen on retaining “political relevance in a changing environment.”

“These politicians are addressing these issues wrongly and therefore people need to know the truth, and the land in dispute is owned by the Government of Kenya and not Narok County,” said Mr Esho.

Mr Samson ole Napati of Oleleishwa area said the Limanet, Ilmashariani or Emonjoi residents stood to benefit as the government brought various services closer to them.

“Let us allow the government to make good use of our land by constructing a slaughterhouse,” he said.