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Magara wants Kisii Coffee Union land sale probed

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Published on Saturday, 05 November 2011 03:26

FORMER South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara now wants the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the controversial sale of Simbauti farm in Borabu district, Nyamira county. Magara alleged yesterday that unscrupulous officials of the giant Kisii Coffee Farmers Union had sold the 5000-acre farm through fraudulent means. “Leaders in Gusii have kept quiet for too long and it is now time that we demand action. EACC must move in now,” he said.

The former MP said it was unfortunate that majority of the farmers in Gusii were not consulted when a decision was reached to hive off part of the land ten years ago. The portion was to be sold ostensibly to clear a loan owed to the Cooperative Bank used to build Kahawa House in Kisii town. Since then, Magara alleged, about 4, 200 acres have been sold.

He said shareholders never held any meeting to approve the plan by the directors to sell the land. The parcel of land formerly was used to plant hundreds of acres of tea, coffee and bananas while the rest was used for dairy farming and maize plantations. However today, the land is a shadow of its former self as it has been subdivided into pieces and sold to private persons. Coffee and tea bushes have been uprooted to pave way for houses.