Orengo misleading Kenyans on land

Two MPs have accused Lands minister James Orengo of misleading the public over the land chapter in the proposed constitution.

Kuria MP Wilfred Machage and his Chepalungu counterpart Isaac Ruto accused Mr Orengo of reading the document selectively.

Mr Ruto said when reading Article 43 that holds that the State shall not deprive a person of property of any description, Mr Orengo does not tell Kenyans that the same State can compulsorily acquire land. He said the government can also take someone’s title deed.

“He should be honest and explain to Kenyans that if the land is taken away, they cannot be compensated,” he said.

Speaking in Eldoret where they addressed a press conference, Mr Ruto said the National Land Policy had been implanted in the constitution and accused Mr Orengo of interpreting it on his own terms.

The two legislators are in the No camp that is opposed to the proposed constitution and have vowed to mobilise Kenyans to reject it at the August 4 referendum.