Park Encroachers Reject Boundaries

ENCROACHERS in the Mt. Elgon National Park have rejected the recently re-traced boundary claiming it is illegal, reports Nathan Etengu.They said the boundary had taken much of their ancestral land. The sentiments of the encroachers were echoed by the Speaker of Kapchorwa district, William Cheborion, during a meeting with the management of the Mt. Elgon National Park.Park officials led by the Chief Warden, James Okonya, had been invited by the district LC5 chairman, Nelson Chelimo, to brief the people affected by the recently re-traced boundary.The boundary traced using the most reliable Global Positioning System equipment indicated that over 1,500 hectares had been encroached upon. A total of 142 families, including two primary schools, and two trading centres were established in the area that was encroached upon.Okonya said the Government was making arrangements to compensate the encroachers for any development before they are ordered to leave.“The formulation and implementation of this plan is expected to take at least one year,” Okonya said.Cheborion, however, said the Sabiny should not be moved from their ancestral land.“The Benet area is a historical and original home of the Sabiny. If we are now being evicted from our mother home, what will happen?” he asked.Ends