Editor's Review

To avert the impending eviction, Karua asked Ruto to explain when he acquired the land, who was the seller and how much he paid for it.

Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua has issued seven demands to President William Ruto over a 5,000 acre piece of land which has been at the center of recent contests.  

In a lengthy statement, Karua pointed out that families are facing eviction from Ndabibi Farm in Naivasha. The Azimio la Umoja Principal however alleged that President Ruto is the buyer of the said piece of land.

To avert the impending eviction, Karua asked Ruto to explain when he acquired the land, who was the seller and how much he paid for it.

Other questions raised by Karua included: what was his source of money, did his due diligence inform him that there were over forty thousand families who had been residing there for decades, and any special reason that Dr Ruto's ownership was revealed after he assumed power.  

President William Ruto speaking during Iftar Dinner at State House, Nairobi on Monday April 8, 2024. PHOTO | COURTESY

"Is he ready to protect and defend the constitution as he swore and therefore defend the rights of the forty thousand families? Can he withdraw the security agents at the farm pending the settlement of ownership issues?" Karua further asked.

"We are staring at the making of a humanitarian crisis of great proportions, one that would make any serious administration seek to intervene to prevent or mitigate."

Ruto had not publicly announced that he owned the contested piece of land. However, on March 12, 2024, Naivasha Member of Parliament Jane Kihara insisted that President Ruto is the bonafide owner of a 5000-acre piece of land at Ndabibi area in Naivasha. 

Speaking at a public Baraza, Kihara accused a section of leaders of being behind a syndicate of land grabbers targeting unsuspecting owners. 

“Can we stop the owner from selling the land to the President? It has been proven that this land belongs to Kipkulei, let him sell to whoever he wants,” she stated. 

“If there is any of you that claims the President took your land, come to me and I will take you to him to claim your land,” she added.