The Kipsigis Community Clans Association now wants land held by multinational companies in Kericho and Bomet Counties reverted back to the community.

Secretary Joel Kimetto noted that the land belongs to the community, which he says was forcefully evicted to pave way for the plantation of tea.

Speaking in Kericho town, he allayed fears the land will be subdivided, noting they have come up with a management and ownership plan, where the companies will be managed wholly as the Kipsigis Community Group of tea estates.

“We recently heard Senator Aaron Cheruiyot asking how the land will be subdivided. We have come up with a management and ownership plan, where the companies will be managed wholly as the Kipsigis Community Group of tea estates,” said Kimetto.

According to him, their proposal to have the community buy the companies’ assets was neglected and instead one individual was allowed to buy the firms.

Kimetto stated the Association has submitted petitions to the County Assemblies and the National Lands Commission, NLC among others, adding that Colonials did not buy the land.

“We have submitted petitions to our county assemblies, the National Lands Commission and other agencies. We wanted to buy assets owned by the companies and not the soil. But sadly, only one individual was allowed too buy the land. As a community we want to make it clear that colonials did not buy these lands, they grabbed them from us,” added Kimetto.

Chairperson John Rop and Treasurer Joseph Towett vowed to push on, accusing four leaders picked to steer the matter of inaction and lack of political will.

Multinational tea companies in Bomet and Kericho include Sasini, Williamson Tea, Lipton Teas and Infusion and James Finlay tea companies, with Sri Lankan investor Browns Investment acquiring Lipton and James Finlays companies.