Baringo North residents accuse chief for expanding his farmland to block access road

Hungry Kitibei residents
Hungry Kitibei residents
Residents of Kitibei village in Baringo North sub-county are up in-arms against 'rogue' area chief who allegedly expanded his land to cut off public road.

They accuse Kapteberewo location Chief Isaac Chemjor of taking advantage of the Christmas festivity to shift his farm posts making Bartolimo-Korokorwonin-Kitibei access road partially impassable.

"When we confronted him to stop the wrongdoing he became so defensive and adamant telling us to report it to any authority" resident Steven Kiprop told the Star.

Kiprop said the local administrator committed the act with the help of his sons between December 25 and 26.

"By so doing we had to park to park our vehicles far away while driving home to joint our families for Christmas" he said.

Kiprop however said the chief is propagating impunity, calling upon the Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Dr. Fred Matiangi to intervene to discipline him.

He was backed by Kitibei village elder James Chebii who said the government official is becoming a total nuisance to the entire community.

"In fact we cannot tell him anything, he only does what his mind leads him and everybody cries in every activity he indulges himself in" Chebii said.

A victim Christopher Ruto complains that the 'rogue' chief has even sliced off a section of his piece of land and fell down some trees in the process of grabbing the public utility.

It is the same chief who was earlier accused of protecting a 24-year old suspect from his Kapnyekwel clan who allegedly defiled a 9-year old girl some 200metres away from his home.

Furthermore he is also accused for teaming up with his clansmen to have Kitibei primary school name changed as from next year 2019, against the wish of the majority residents.

Contacted for comment Chief Chemjor reiterated that the offended residents should go and report the cases to his bosses, "than complaining to media".

He said he has got no problem with anybody seeking information from him be it residents, individuals on Facebook or mainstream media.

"I only feel unethical to communicate such sensitive matters over phone it would rather be good if someone approaches me on the ground to get sufficient facts" he said.

JOSEPH KANGOGO