There is an urgent need to address historical land injustices in the South Rift valley, retired Chief Justice David Maraga has said.
Maraga cited land issues affecting the Mau Forest, internally displaced persons, and the Kericho and Bomettea estates that are occupied by foreign multinational corporations and the recent stalemate over the ownership of Ang’ata Barigoi land as some of the injustices.
He said there was a need to urgently compensate all the Mau forest evictees who he said were rendered squatters, as the government’s intended compensation plan was marred with malpractices.
Speaking at Kapkatet market, Maraga termed the Kericho land as belonging to the locals, saying it was grabbed by the colonial masters and that it should be managed by the County Government of Kericho.
The United Green Movement party leader said his Presidency would fast-track land cases, including the Ang’ata Barigoi land issue, which Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ngeno was pursuing passionately.
He at the same time termed the Constitution of Kenya 2010 one of the best documents in the world, saying if fully implemented, it would address thorny issues facing Kenyans.
On education, the former Chief Justice termed a shortage of teachers, teething problems in the implementation of competency-based education and insufficient capitation funds as factors contributing to dwindling standards of education in Kenya and promised to address these challenges if he wins next year’s presidential election.
Maraga also promised to end corruption by sealing all loopholes that drain taxpayers’ money and to streamline government operations.
He urged political leaders to tone down in the quest to outsmart each other as they campaign for various elective positions.
By Kipngeno Korir
