Police in Uriri have launched an investigation on the fire incident that razed down over 20 acres of sugarcane plantation that belongs to the Catholic Church in Uriri Migori County which is part of the controversial 52 acreage of land at Karalang village, Uriri Sub County.

The fire incident that broke Wednesday this week has elicited reaction from the church faithful who have pointed fingers on the county government of Migori following the acrimony between the county government and the church over the land row.

Catholic priest Fr. Tom Mboya has said that the sugarcane was burnt by youths who were hired by the county government to destroy all the ridges that had been prepared for planting sugarcane in a portion of the controversial land.

He said he called governor Obado and after the fire had burnt down the plantation and he admitted that he sent the youths no destroy the ridges.

According to Uriri OCPD, Mr.Jacob Kaberia, the fire incident broke up when the county government officials were on the site with tractors destroying some ridges that had been made in preparation for sugarcane planting in a portion of the controversial land.

He said Deputy county commissioner in charge of Uriri sub county, Mr. George Chelegat was on the piece of land on Wednesday to settle the difference between the two parties but immediately he left, the fire broke up.

The burnt sugarcane plantation is part of the 52 acreage land that is still under contention between the county government of Migori and Catholic Church where both parties claim the ownership of the land.

Effort to get governor Obado remains futile as he could not be found on phone neither did he responded to message.

Via Kenya Newspapers