Kapkatet: There is an urgent need to address historical land injustices in the South Rift valley, retired Chief Justice David Maraga has said. Maraga highlighted issues affecting the Mau Forest, internally displaced persons, and estates such as Kericho and Bomettea, which are occupied by foreign multinational corporations. He also mentioned the recent stalemate over the ownership of Ang’ata Barigoi land as examples of these injustices.
According to Kenya News Agency, Maraga emphasized the necessity to urgently compensate all Mau forest evictees, stating they were rendered squatters and that the government’s compensation plan was flawed with malpractices. Speaking at Kapkatet market, he argued that the Kericho land rightfully belongs to the locals, having been unjustly seized by colonial powers, and suggested it should be managed by the County Government of Kericho.
The United Green Movement party leader expressed that his potential presidency would prioritize fast-tracking land cases, including the Ang’ata Barigoi land issue, actively pursued by Emurua Dikirr Member of Parliament Johana Ngeno. Maraga also praised the Constitution of Kenya 2010 as one of the world’s best legal documents, asserting that its full implementation could resolve the country’s pressing issues.
On the educational front, Maraga identified a shortage of teachers, challenges in the implementation of competency-based education, and inadequate capitation funds as key factors affecting the standards of education in Kenya. He pledged to address these challenges if elected president in the upcoming election. Furthermore, Maraga vowed to combat corruption by closing loopholes that result in the misuse of taxpayers’ money and to improve government operations.
In conclusion, he called on political leaders to moderate their competitive tactics as they campaign for various elective positions.