Egerton University Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaack Kibwage during the committee session/photo courtesy

The Egerton University is appealing to the Members of Parliament, MPs to have their land back and settle land ownership dispute which has derailed the institution’s development agenda for long.

Speaking with the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education at the university, Vice Chancellor Prof. Isaack Kibwage said that the 2000 acres of farm-land belonging to Egerton has been illegally grabbed by persons that have gone as far as acquiring documentation to prove ownership, and any attempts by the University to reclaim and develop the land have been met with resistance and sometimes; violence.

The committee led by Wanami Wamboka promised to move swiftly to settle the dispute to open doors for the development in the institution.

“This land ownership matter is very big and sensitive, but the land belongs to the University and as MPs, we shall do everything possible to enable its restoration back to the institution,” assured chairman Wamboka.

Asserting the seriousness with which the Committee has taken the matter, the Chairman revealed a plan to have a multi-sectoral approach to resolving the stalemate that has curtailed Egerton’s chances of undertaking any farming activities to help generate income to supplement Government funding.

“These land ownership wrangles have frustrated the Management over years to the point that they cannot undertake any income generating activities on the parcel,” said Wamboka.

“We shall recommend the coming together of three Committees – Lands, Security, and PIC on Governance & Education- to apply concerted efforts to resolve the matter, to visit the land and find a lasting solution.” He clarified.