Kipkelion farmers shocked as NYS officers destroy crops for railway project
The Kipkelion railway station. Hundreds of NYS officers descended on farms in the area on September 5, 2020 and slashed maize that was almost ready for harvest, as residents watched.
What you need to know:
- The government is rehabilitating the railway network across the country to ease transportation of goods in bulk.
- Hundreds of NYS officers descended on farms at Kipkelion Railway Station and slashed maize that was almost ready for harvest, as residents watched.
- Kipkelion Ward Representative Anthony Ruto said the move would affect food security in the area as most of those affected were peasant farmers.
Kericho residents were left in shock on Saturday when National Youth Service (NYS) officers destroyed maize planted on Kenya Railways’ land to pave way for rehabilitation of the old Nakuru-Kisumu railway line.
The government is rehabilitating the railway network across the country to ease transportation of goods in bulk.
Hundreds of NYS officers descended on farms at Kipkelion Railway Station and slashed maize that was almost ready for harvest, as residents watched.
At least 40 acres of crops were destroyed.
"We were informed that our crops were being uprooted. When we rushed to the farm we found NYS staff slashing them. It was shocking to watch helplessly as investments [were destroyed] in a few minutes," said Emily Mutai, a farmer.
No notice
Ms Mutai said neither the NYS nor Kenya Railways gave them a notice.
The farmers were not allowed to access the farms when they turned up to witness the destruction with an estimated 40 acres affected.
"Had we been given a notice, we would have cut the crops and turned them into silage for livestock or sold them to dairy farmers," said Abraham Kirui, another farmer who was affected.
Mr Kirui called on Kenya Railways to compensate the farmers for the loss, saying they were allowed to engage in agricultural activities along the railway line and on land belonging to the company.
"It is a taboo in the Kalenjin community for one to destroy food crops. It is very sad that the investment had to be destroyed in such a manner," he said.
Food security
Kipkelion Ward Representative Anthony Ruto said the move would affect food security in the area as most of those affected were peasant farmers.
"Knowing farmers made investments and that the crops would have been harvested in one to two months, Kenya Railways should have allowed the crops to mature for a harvest or let the people cut it and use it as animal feed. Descending on farms and destroying crops was insensitive," said Mr Ruto.
However, resident Stanley Cheruiyot said the move was a clear indication of the government's commitment to reviving the railways.
"We hope the revival will help create employment opportunities for residents and revive the once vibrant Kipkelion trading centre," said Mr Cheruiyot.
Kipkelion was a beehive of activities in the early 1980s as it had a functioning railway station. It was reduced to a ghost town with the collapse of the operations.
