Mt Elgon residents protest against alleged grabbing of community school land

The school that was established by the community in 2016 has been closed for more than a year, with students left in limbo.

Martin Ngeyo, a resident, said, “This is a community school and we don’t understand how someone can come and claim ownership of this property yet it belongs to the community.”

He continued, “The school started as a simple mabati structure, then community members came together to upgrade the facility, but thereafter, we were shocked to find elements cordoning off part of the land on which the school sits and claiming ownership.”

Locals claim officials in the area, including the chief, said the land was now owned by someone else to their astonishment.

Ngeyo said, “Our children have been left to suffer without a school and we demand action be taken against those trying to grab land.”

Joseph Chebunde, a member of the Council of Elders, said, “The authorities keep saying that our youths should not engage in crime, however, they themselves are enabling it by allowing land to be grabbed.”

He continued, “Those engaged in the practice should be brought to book.”

Another local, Phylis Ndege, said, “We had enrolled our children at the school because it was close by. Now many have to look for schools that are many kilometres away.”

Area Deputy Commissioner Langa Manjama said that the matter is being investigated.