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"id": 227992,
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"speaker_name": "Mr. Michuki",
"speaker_title": "The Minister of State for Administration and National Security",
"speaker": {
"id": 183,
"legal_name": "John Njoroge Michuki",
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"content": " Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is very important that every hon. Member listens. It was established in 1971. It has been a source of potential and real insecurity in Kapsiro Division. There are four divisions in Mount Elgon. It is within the division called Kapsiro, specifically in a location known as Emiang'. Mount Elgon has a population of 270,000 people. The area affected originally had 3,000 people. Of course, therefore, there is available land for allocation. That attracts a lot of people. So, the population swelled when it was learned that free April 4, 2007 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 369 land was available. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as the Minister for Lands said, the forest was not degazetted in 1971. In 1975, people were still being promised settlement. In the same year, 1975, it was decided that the land should be surveyed. This proposal was not accepted by some communities in the area. At that time, it was possible to allocate 20 acres to a family. In 1989, there was a further attempt to survey the land and issue title deeds. However, it was found that very few people would benefit, considering the number of landless people, who had by then increased and settled in the scheme. The population was building up, and in 2004 it was agreed that the land be sub-divided into two-and-a-half acre plots. After identification and survey of the plots was done and excising of public utility plots, there was found to be 1,732 plots which were to be shared between the Soy and the Ndorobo on an equal basis. Therefore, there were to be committees of the Soy and Ndorobo elders to select 866 settlers, who must have been selected on the following basis: one must have been a resident of the scheme, must have had no land elsewhere, must have had a national identity card because of the proximity of the scheme to the border, and must personally attend the vetting session. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in order to arrest the fear and suspicion between the two communities, the Ndorobo and Soy, it was agreed that each community will form a vetting committee of their own, which they did. When people were invited to apply for this land, I think they were about 7,000 when in fact the number of plots was that what I have just mentioned. Some people previously occupied and cultivated larger pieces of land than the 2.5 acres that became the norm for allocation. Due to this, they objected to having to surrender their land for occupation by other people, although it is the clan that identified those people. After the allocations, the Provincial Commissioner instructed the DC to ensure that the list of those who had been selected was displayed, not only at the DO's notice board but also at the chief's office so that any objections could be raised. We know of no objection that was raised during that time. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, as a result of this situation where groups of people were unhappy with the process, it was suspected that politics, particularly by former Members of Parliament, councillors and some disgruntled people was introduced into this process. This House understands quite clearly that it started as a land settlement but has now moved into politics. That is where it still is, and I hope it will be finished this time, here in this House. I now want to touch on the response of the Government on the various issues that have been raised. The Provincial Security and Intelligence Committee has taken the following measures in order to arrest the situation. On 28th January, this year, over 520 combined regular Administration Police and GSU were immediately dispatched to the area around Mt. Elgon in order to flush out those criminal gangs which had now turned themselves into an army. You have heard the story where somebody comes dressed in uniform and challenges the Government to come forward and fight. So, we sent our security forces to strengthen the forces that were already there. At the end of the day, we mobilised about 650 security officers. Those security forces were instructed to arrest those who were committing crime in the area and were killing people. They were also told to seize their weapons. The security agents identified the names of 80 members of these gangs who have been operating between the forest and the settlement area in the other divisions of Mt. Elgon District. These names have been circulated for public knowledge. For those whose photographs were available they were placed in the media so that wananchi could help to identify them to the police. We have received very little co-operation from the local people. Security agencies also identified names of Ugandans--- We are collaborating because that operation is being done with a very good understanding from the other side of the border. The names of those who have run away 370 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES April 4, 2007 to Uganda have been forwarded to the Government of Uganda. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 21st March, 2007, the provincial security committee held a meeting for leaders in Mt. Elgon District. All the participants heavily implicated politicians in the area. I have no authority from the Chair to name them, but I am sure this House knows them. Many hon. Members here are aware of that. Over 280 suspects and criminals have been arrested during the operation, 13 killed and 23 injured. Of course, there were 13 civilians who were injured as well. The police have flushed out most of those criminals residing in the forest. Some of those people lived in caves in the forest. It is like in those days when anthropology was interesting. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the meetings that have been going on in that area have recommended that the Ministry of Lands should immediately issue title deeds to those who benefited from the plots, so that people should stop harbouring the idea that the process will be invalidated. The Ministry of Lands has accepted the proposal and will be fast-tracking the process of issuing titles to the beneficiaries who were selected by community committees. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, amnesty has been given to those young gangsters to surrender any weapons which they may be having. The same message is being disseminated by the elders and the security teams which are going around the district. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, on 3rd April, 2007, the provincial team met 15 key religious leaders of the main denominations operating in Mt. Elgon District, together with the Minister for Lands. I am sure you heard the Minister say that he had that meeting. The Minister promised that he will address the issue of land allocation to those who did not benefit from the allocation that was made on the recommendation of the community elders. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, four chiefs in the district have been interdicted because of their involvement in the matter. Three councillors and a string of politicians have also recorded statements. A new provincial commander sourced from the General Service Unit (GSU) is now in charge. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I hope that after the meetings that are being held in the villages to reconcile people--- The elders and the Provincial Administration have reported to me. I hope that, that problem will be addressed. But, if those meetings will not come up with any workable solution, we intend to follow some of the recommendations that have been given here. For example, the recommendation that has been made by Mr. M. Y. Haji, which is very practical. He has requested us to get a number of District Officers (DOs) to deal with the matter. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, the security personnel whom we have sent there will remain in the district until security and calm is fully restored. So, the allegations about the Government not taking action are not founded. We have made statements now and again. The Provincial Commissioner has held many meetings. But we trust that this matter will be given the reporting it deserves by the media, who have neglected the side of the Government in the past. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, with those remarks, I beg to end my speech."
}