About 6,000 coffee trees meant for research by Coffee Research Foundation were destroyed last week in a land dispute in Kisii.

The dispute involved Gusii Institute of Technology, also a government institution. “This will have major effect on coffee growing in the country,” CRF research director, Mr Joseph Kimemia said.

According to sources within CRF, the institute was provided with seven acres, a small part of the total land in 1976 but has in recent years claimed the whole plot.

The source said the matter was being handled by the permanent secretaries where the respective feuding groups fall, but the management of Gusii Institute of Technology went ahead and destroyed the coffee trees before a solution was found.

“It is illegal to cut coffee trees without approval. This is tantamount to destruction of private property,” the CRF official said.

CRF has been carrying out research on the land since 1957.