Family spends days in bush over land dispute

A family of three members has spent four days in the bush due to fear for their lives over a land dispute in their area of Okapel Village, Opungurei parish, Kakure Sub County, Kaberamaido district.

Speaking during a security meeting, Grace Alyano said a week ago, suspected would-be assailants stormed their home three times threatening them with death.

She said they only stay at home during the day day retreat to the bush when darkness falls.

"I am not fine at all in this village. Following the land dispute issues we have here, it has become difficult for me to sleep in the house", Alyano said.

The family attending a security meeting over their safety

She said she lost her husband about ten years ago by shooting.

"Immediately the dog barks, we just know that wrong people have come again", Alyano said.

Another lady, Loyce Alimo said she had suffered a lot of mosquito bites in the bush.

"Since we are living in fear and always sleep in the bush, I have decided to send my grandchildren back to their homes," Alimo said.

The LCI chairperson of this village, James Okello Emalu admitted that this family indeed has been spending their nights in the bush.

"The two ladies and their son Robert Elimu have been sleeping in the bush and there is nothing much I can do," Okello said.

He said he referred their case to police.

The District Police Commander (DPC) of Kaberamaido, Ahmed Madiri admitted having a family land dispute case involving the said family.

Madiri said he had directed crime preventers in the area to be alert and report immediately if anything goes wrong.

He said there is no reason for people to sleep in the bush at a time when peace prevails everywhere.

Meanwhile, the Resident District Commissioner (RDC) of Kaberamaido, Jimmy Ssegawa Ebil, who is in charge the chairperson of the district security committee, assured the family members of safety and urged them to return home.

"I do not see the reason why you should suffer sleeping in the bush", Ssegawa said.

The LC3 chairperson of Kakure Sub County, Willy Ebayu Echengu however noted it was taking long to resolve the dispute.

He said two people were killed in this village sometime back on issues related to land.

He said there was need to bring all people suspected to be involved in family disputes in the village into common understanding.