Enough Is Enough: 5,000 Nakuru Jua Kali Artisans Demand Their 21 Acres

By Elijah Cherutich

Jua Kali artisans in Nakuru have threatened to reclaim a piece of land allocated to them at the Gioto dumpsite in London, Nakuru Town East, if authorities fail to resolve a long-running dispute over its ownership and occupation.

The artisans, through their association, say individuals they accuse of illegally occupying the land have repeatedly frustrated their efforts to take possession of the site and establish workshops.

Speaking at the disputed site, Jua Kali Association chairman Peter Njoroge said about 5,000 members were relying on the land to expand their businesses and create employment, but years of legal wrangling had left them unable to use it.

Njoroge said the association was initially allocated about 21 acres, but alleged that eight acres had since been hived off for development, leaving about 13 acres.

“We are about 5,000 members. Initially, the land was about 21 acres but, shockingly, eight acres was hived off illegally for development, leaving only 13 acres available. Sadly, there is a group who have been farming the land every time we want to occupy,” he said.

He said members had deliberately avoided confrontations with those occupying the land while waiting for the courts and relevant authorities to resolve the dispute.

“We have restrained our members for a long time from any confrontation with the group occupying the land to give a chance to peaceful processes,” he said.

Jua Kali member Victor Otieno called on President William Ruto and Chief Justice Martha Koome to intervene, saying the prolonged dispute was denying artisans an opportunity to establish workshops and contribute to the economy.

Otieno said the land was donated to the association during the administration of former President Daniel arap Moi, but alleged that their attempts to utilise it had been frustrated by what he described as cartels.

Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama assured the artisans that efforts were underway to secure the land and have it handed over to them.

Arama said he had raised the matter in the National Assembly, where a parliamentary committee deliberated on the dispute and established that the land belonged to the association.

He said Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika had also expressed support for the artisans but was waiting for the court case to be concluded.

“The members should not panic about this land. It is clear that it belongs to them and therefore they will ultimately get a chance to use it,” Arama said.