Angata Barrikoi clashes sparked by disputed 2,500-hectare land, says PS Korir
Korir on Thursday explained that the disputed land covers about 2,561.44 hectares and borders the Angata Barrikoi Registration Section (Kipsigis), Tanzania, and Kuria East Constituency in Migori County (Gwitembe).
Land-related disputes remain the top cause of insecurity in parts of the country, a senior government official has told lawmakers
The Principal Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development, Nixon Korir, appeared before the Departmental Committee on Administration and Internal Security to address concerns over recent unrest in Angata Barrikoi.
The disturbances have been linked to a contested piece of land known as Parcel No. Transmara/Moyoi/2 or Kailolong.
Korir on Thursday explained that the disputed land covers about 2,561.44 hectares and borders the Angata Barrikoi Registration Section (Kipsigis), Tanzania, and Kuria East Constituency in Migori County (Gwitembe).
The land was officially registered on September 18, 1996, under the Angata Barrikoi Farmers’ Cooperative Society, but the society has never lived on or fully occupied the land.
Instead, it informally leased the land to members of neighboring communities — the Kipsigis from Angata Barrikoi and the Kuria from Gwitembe — mainly for farming. Neither group lives on the land, but fights often break out during planting season over who can use it.
PS Korir urged the communities involved to formalize their leasing agreements by registering them with the Land Registrar in Kilgoris to prevent future conflicts.
He also revealed that any title deeds claimed by residents in the area are not recognized by the Ministry because official records only list the cooperative society as the landowner.
“The titles allegedly held by some residents did not originate from the Ministry and are therefore not recognised,” he stated.
Korir pointed out that although the Ministry is working to sort out administrative issues, the root of the problem is political. He appealed to local leaders to lead efforts in engaging the communities and fostering dialogue for lasting peace.
The committee agreed to involve the National Land Commission to investigate further and produce a detailed report for parliament.
