Court intervenes in Kibor farm dispute

Saturday, 23 April 2011 00:02 BY MATHEWS NDANYI

OWNERSHIP: Raila Odinga with Jackson Kibor who is engaged in the land row.

The High Court in Eldoret has intervened in a prolonged 400 acre land dispute involving prominent Eldoret politician Jackson Kibor. Justice J R Karanja has ordered that the status quo on the disputed Mafuta Farm be maintained until the matter is mentioned on May 4th 2011.
Kibor and prominent farmer Stephen Kiplimo Rono have been engaged in an ownership row over the land which is located in Moiben Division of Eldoret East District.
Yesterday there was a near fight at Ziwa Police Station where Rono had gone to ask why the police were barring him from using the land and why they were holding his tractor.
Rono argued with Ziwa OCS Naban Sabuni who insisted that he had orders not to allow anyone on the farm. Rono served Sabuni with the latest court orders but he claimed the OCS refused to accept them. He then served the same orders to the OCS at Moiben.
Rono and seven of his workers moved to the court last week arguing that Kibor and his agents were blocking them from preparing to plant maize and wheat.
Others in the matter include Kiptum Choge, Sally Mwechigo, Shadrack Rono, Andrew Chaina, Kiprono Chaina, John Chaina and Phillip Chaina. They argue that they have been using the farm but Kibor’s group has been interfering.
Kibor had earlier moved to the court and obtained orders restraining Rono and his group from using the land until all pending cases are determined.
But after Rono’s group went back to court Karanja ordered that “the status quo prevailing upon the suit land be preserved until the matter is heard”. The High Court is on vacation but Karanja has admitted the matter to be heard during the vacation period.
Kibor is represented by lawyer Paul Gicheru while the eight who are listed as defendants are represented by the firm of Wambua Kigamwa. The land in dispute is registered as Uasin Gishu/Mafuta Settlement Scheme.