KDF, Isiolo leaders to hold talks to resolve longstanding Burat land row

The protracted land dispute between residents of Burat in Isiolo County and the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) may soon be resolved following an agreement between Defence Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya and Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo to convene a high-level roundtable discussion on the matter.

Announced on Wednesday, the upcoming meeting will bring together the KDF, National Land Commission (NLC), elected leaders, civil society, and local community representatives to find a lasting solution to the six-year-old row.

The move comes amid persistent complaints from residents, who accuse the military of expanding beyond the 100 hectares originally allocated to it in 1981. The community asserts it has lived on the land since 1922 and claims the KDF's continued presence and encroachment have led to displacement, destruction of homes, and restricted access to graves and public institutions.

Tensions escalated in 2019 when the military issued a 30-day eviction notice. Residents obtained a court injunction to halt the evictions, but they allege the KDF has ignored the court’s directive and continued expanding its boundary.

Speaking during a joint event at Daraja Spring in Isiolo, CS Tuya affirmed her commitment to working with local leaders to resolve the matter.

“I am ready, as the Defence Cabinet Secretary, to meet with your leaders and resolve these land issues. I am pleased that the court has directed that the matter be handled through an inclusive process involving all parties. There should be no further litigation between the KDF and the community over this land. We shall resolve it peacefully, because the KDF’s presence in Isiolo is fundamental to security and stability,” she said.

Governor Abdi said President William Ruto had earlier instructed the former Defence CS to resolve the matter, but the process was derailed.

“We even held discussions and reached an agreement on a way forward. Unfortunately, political interference took over, and we leaders were wrongly accused of attempting to grab the land,” the governor said.

He called for unity between the community and the KDF, emphasising that peaceful co-existence is vital for national stability.

“No one will remove you from your land. The army officers who were troubling the community are our brothers. They protect us, and we cannot afford to have conflict with them. This matter will be resolved, as President Ruto has committed to addressing land disputes involving the military and local communities, alongside drought mitigation,” said Governor Guyo.

He noted that CS Tuya’s pastoralist background gives her a better understanding of land issues affecting communities.

“We are fortunate to have a Defence CS who hails from a pastoralist community. She understands the value we place on land,” he added.

However, the governor cautioned individuals claiming ownership of community land through dubious title deeds.

“If you obtained your title deed in Nairobi without the knowledge of the rightful landowners—the residents—then that land cannot belong to you. We will not allow our people to be oppressed. The community has a right to know how that title was acquired and who issued it,” he warned.

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• Isiolo leaders to hold talks to resolve longstanding Burat land row

The announcement came as CS Tuya launched the Programme for Accelerated Ecosystem Restoration in Isiolo. The event saw both the county government and KDF pledge support for local youth groups tasked with caring for newly planted trees, as part of efforts to increase forest cover in alignment with President Ruto’s climate agenda.

The governor welcomed the environmental initiative, saying it symbolised strong collaboration between the national and county governments.

“This important initiative underscores our shared commitment to combating climate change and restoring degraded ecosystems for future generations. Together with our national partners, we remain steadfast in promoting environmental sustainability and climate resilience across Isiolo County,” he stated.

He also issued a stern warning against land fraud. “We will not tolerate the politicisation of land matters or fraudulent acquisition of title deeds intended to grab public land. Demolishing homes of innocent residents will not be allowed.”

Present at the event were Isiolo County MP Mumina Bonaya, Isiolo North MP Samal Lomwa, County Assembly Speaker Mohamed Roba, and Burat MCA Nicholas Lorot. The leaders reiterated their support for peace, environmental protection, and justice for affected residents.

Meanwhile, community members from Ngaremara have also raised concerns over alleged land encroachment by the KDF.

During a public hearing conducted by the NLC in April 2025, residents claimed that over 18,000 acres had been taken by the military following the construction of the Isiolo–Moyale road. The land reportedly includes homes, schools, and burial sites.

“We have lost more than 18,000 acres of land to the KDF. Our people have become internally displaced, our children’s education has suffered due to the destruction of a school in the area, and the graves of our parents and grandparents have been interfered with,” said community elder Zachary Luchilia.

Dominic Ngoyan, representing the Turkana community, added, “We filed a petition in 2022 and have submitted all the necessary evidence. We want justice. We want the commission to act so our future generations are not affected.”

According to the NLC, 27 land-related complaints have been filed from Isiolo. Investigations into disputes involving the KDF, the airport, and the Ministry of Livestock are ongoing, with decisions expected by the end of the year.

In 2023, a technical committee was established to find a resolution to the land dispute between the School of Infantry and the Burat community. However, no official outcome has been announced to date.