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{
    "id": 1415088,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1415088/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 380,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Belgut, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Nelson Koech",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "1. What disciplinary and legal actions have been taken against the KDF officers involved in the alleged killings and maiming of residents in various incidences? 2. When does the Ministry of Defence intend to conclude the process of relinquishing the disputed portion of land to Kamagut and Buheba settlement schemes squatters and compensate the residents for the loss of their loved ones and livestock over the years? Hon. Temporary Speaker, the Committee engaged the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on the above concerns raised by Hon. Janet Sitienei. I, therefore, wish to respond to the issues as follows. On what prompted the officers of the KDF to use live ammunition on unarmed residents, on 25th November 2023, at around 10 p.m., a group of around 30 unidentified individuals armed with crude weapons trespassed into Block 21 of the KOFC farm. Upon detection by the Corporation’s security team, the trespassers turned violent inflicting serious head injury on one of the KOFC guards who was performing a legitimate duty. Consequently, one of the intruders who had an axe and was identified as the suspect responsible for the said head injury was arrested, handed over to the National Police Service and thereafter presented before a court of law. Additionally, several bags of illegally harvested maize were recovered at the scene of the incident. Hon. Temporary Speaker, live ammunition was not used during the confrontation between the trespassers and Kenya Ordnance Factories Corporation (KOFC) security personnel. This incident is currently under independent investigation by the Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Military Police whilst Defence Headquarters has also constituted a Board of Inquiry into the same. Above all, the death of citizens is unfortunate and MoD is committed to finding a shared long-term solution to the current dispute. On what measures the Ministry of Defence is taking to ensure amicable coexistence between KDF and residents, as stated earlier, the Ministry of Defence, through KOFC, values the cooperation of the Turbo community towards mandate accomplishment and has taken various measures to enhance the well-being of the adjacent population. Some of the social, security, and economic interventions are: 1. Promoting respect for the rule of law, particularly through encouraging dialogue and alternative dispute resolution for land-related matters. 2. In partnership with county and national administration officials, MoD continually sensitizes members of the public on safety and security hazards applicable to protected areas such as KOFC and the Defence Forces Recruits Training School. 3. Engaging in corporate social responsibility activities, such as tree planting exercises, to support the community. For example, a tree-planting exercise was jointly undertaken on 13th November 2023. 4. Provision of employment opportunities to locals either as permanent staff or as casual workers in the farm and factory. 5. Partnering with the local administration, law enforcement agencies, community leaders, and the Member of Parliament for Turbo Constituency to address emerging challenges. The third question was: what steps has the KDF in Eldoret instituted to address the loss of lives, especially minors who have died in trenches around the Barracks since 2021? I want to state that the “trenches” referenced are security barriers constructed within a protected area in accordance with the Protected Areas Act Cap 204 Laws of Kenya. These barriers were designed to counter the threat of international terrorism, especially those perpetrated using Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Devices. It is recalled that Kenya has been among the targeted countries with members of the public as well as security personnel and strategic The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}