BURNT FOREST, Kenya —Tensions rose in Kondoo Farm as more than 4,000 residents staged protests on Monday against an eviction notice issued by a private holdings company claiming ownership of the land.
Led by Bishop Paul Gathuo and Simon Bungei, the residents expressed outrage and disbelief over the three-month notice, which they say threatens to uproot families who have lived on the land for generations.
Holding title deeds they insist are legitimate, the demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans vowing to resist any attempts to displace them.
“This land has been our home since independence. We received our title deeds during the late President Daniel arap Moi’s regime,” said Bishop Gathuo. “We were shocked to see a newspaper notice demanding we vacate land we have rightfully developed and lived on for decades.”
The contested property, registered as LR 10394, spans over 575 acres near Burnt Forest town and is currently valued at more than Sh1 billion.
According to Gathuo and Bungei, the residents—many of whom have built homes, planted crops, and buried ancestors on the land—had never faced ownership disputes until now.
The eviction notice, published on December 3 in a national newspaper, accuses the residents of illegal occupation and demands they stop all activities on the land, dismantle existing structures, and vacate within three months.
Signed by lawyers representing the private company laying claim to the property, the notice asserts the occupants have no lawful authority to reside there.
“We have been labeled as illegal occupants despite holding valid titles issued by the government. Does this mean the titles are fake? We want answers,” Bungei said.
The residents have called on President William Ruto to intervene, urging the government to honor their title deeds and protect them from eviction.
“This land is more than just property—it is our heritage,” said Bungei. “Our grandparents were squatters here before the late President Jomo Kenyatta allocated it to us. We have buried our ancestors here. We will not move, no matter the cost.”
The threat of eviction has left many families in panic, with some elderly residents reportedly experiencing stress and depression over the uncertainty.
The residents vowed to resist any attempts to remove them, questioning why the claim to the land had surfaced only now.
“We have lived here peacefully under previous governments. Why are we being targeted today?” Gathuo asked.
The community remains firm in its resolve, warning that any attempt to forcibly evict them will be met with strong resistance.
“We will defend this land with everything we have,” Bungei declared.
Led by Bishop Paul Gathuo and Simon Bungei, the residents expressed outrage and disbelief over the three-month notice, which they say threatens to uproot families who have lived on the land for generations.
Holding title deeds they insist are legitimate, the demonstrators carried placards and chanted slogans vowing to resist any attempts to displace them.
“This land has been our home since independence. We received our title deeds during the late President Daniel arap Moi’s regime,” said Bishop Gathuo. “We were shocked to see a newspaper notice demanding we vacate land we have rightfully developed and lived on for decades.”
The contested property, registered as LR 10394, spans over 575 acres near Burnt Forest town and is currently valued at more than Sh1 billion.
According to Gathuo and Bungei, the residents—many of whom have built homes, planted crops, and buried ancestors on the land—had never faced ownership disputes until now.
The eviction notice, published on December 3 in a national newspaper, accuses the residents of illegal occupation and demands they stop all activities on the land, dismantle existing structures, and vacate within three months.
Signed by lawyers representing the private company laying claim to the property, the notice asserts the occupants have no lawful authority to reside there.
“We have been labeled as illegal occupants despite holding valid titles issued by the government. Does this mean the titles are fake? We want answers,” Bungei said.
The residents have called on President William Ruto to intervene, urging the government to honor their title deeds and protect them from eviction.
“This land is more than just property—it is our heritage,” said Bungei. “Our grandparents were squatters here before the late President Jomo Kenyatta allocated it to us. We have buried our ancestors here. We will not move, no matter the cost.”
The threat of eviction has left many families in panic, with some elderly residents reportedly experiencing stress and depression over the uncertainty.
The residents vowed to resist any attempts to remove them, questioning why the claim to the land had surfaced only now.
“We have lived here peacefully under previous governments. Why are we being targeted today?” Gathuo asked.
The community remains firm in its resolve, warning that any attempt to forcibly evict them will be met with strong resistance.
“We will defend this land with everything we have,” Bungei declared.
