Among other Western Kenya leaders, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri condemned the inhumane Chesumei evictions.
He issued a hard hitting, but sober, statement on Senate floor demanding, humanterian support, restitution and justice.
Context of Chesumei Evictions
On 10th of October 2019, more than 300 families (about 1500 men, women and children) were forcefully evicted from a disputed 50 acre piece of land in Kaptobongen village of Chesumei constituency, Nandi county.
The highly emotive evictions raised political temperatures followed enforcement by police of a now widely criticized 2017 court ruling.
A Lands court decided in favor of the estate of a deceased patriarch of a Nandi family. On the other hand, the evicted families who had been living on the area for over 40 years claimed to have legally bought the land.
More, they had buried their kin on the land making it for some the only home they knew.
In a widely shared picture and video a man is seen hoisting the skull of kin as he walked about wailing. It was a sad sight that ignited passions even as some pondered over the cultural and social implications of the ruling. Politically, Western Kenya leaders from across the divide forged a common front as they strongly condemned the brutality of the evictions.
In pure political terms, the Chesumei evictions was requisite fodder for the national political discourse of the day.
Coming in the heels of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, the jostling for space on the national political platform was intense.
In the clip below, Western Kenya leaders then aligned to Raila Odinga as expected, call on leaders of the Rift Valley alongside the nation to stop the pain netted on their people.
Reactions Luhya leaders
Cleophas Malala is the Kakamega county senator. In the heat of the evictions, accompanied by other leaders, he stood in solidarity with the Luhya evictees.
He tweeted: “In solidarity with the luhya evictees, with @edwinsifuna @Honcalebamisi @HonOsotsi stood today at Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County. I condemned the unlawful evictions and urged the affected families to remain calm as an amicable solution is being sought.”
In solidarity with the luhya evictees, with @edwinsifuna @Honcalebamisi @HonOsotsi stood today at Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County. I condemned the unlawful evictions and urged the affected families to remain calm as an amicable solution is being sought.@Araap_Sang pic.twitter.com/PSPNxARHo2
— Cleophas Malalah (@Cleophasmalala) October 11, 2019
A local TV station carried this report on the outrage by Luhya leaders on what appeared to be targeted evictions.
In the video, Busia Woman Representative Florence mutua is flanked by among others ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Makadara MP and ODM party Nairobi chairman George Aladwa and ANC nominated MP Geoffrey Osotsi as they read a hard hitting statement
Chesumei evictions: Leaders from the Luhya community want DP Ruto to address the Chesumei eviction issue.#MachoNaSautiYetu #MatukioNyanjani #TV47KE pic.twitter.com/ZpcJtDvsVg
— TV 47 KENYA (@TV47KE) October 10, 2019
