A nominated Member of Parliament has asked Ministry of Agriculture to fence off Tawakal farm and ensure farming is carried out on the farm to avoid being grabbed by unscrupulous people.
Ummelkheir Harun, Nominated MP from Azimio la Umoja coalition, who visited the farm today said some unknown people had recently attempted to invade the farm and asked the local residents to make use of the land by planting crops during the short rains instead of leaving it idle.
Addressing residents of the farm and security personnel led by Ijara Deputy County commissioner Mr Wachira Champton said the Tawakal farm was acquired through cooperative societies as early as 1973 and that farmers from Tana River County should not claim ownership.
She said, “how can people from another county claim the Tawakal farm yet it is adjacent to Ijara Deputy County commissioner’s office at Masalani town Ijara sub, Garissa County”.
He commended Ijara Deputy County Commissioner Mr Wachira Champon and his security team for guarding the pipes and tools the unscrupulous farmers wanted to use to excavate the land.
Mr Wachira reiterated that the Tawakal farm was a cooperative farm that belong to residents of Masalani town and asked the members to make use of it saying it is an arable land and if utilized through irrigation it can enhance food security in the area and also uplift the members economically.
Masalani youth leader Abdullahi Abdi, Jamal Hussein, Mohamed Abdilley among others spoke on the importance of planting the crops on the land using irrigation pointing out that their forefathers under the chairmanship of Shall Dagane sacrificed to buy the land in 1973 and therefore should be developed to help the youth advance economically.
The youth pledged to work with the nominated MP Ummelkheir Harun in development of the area.
By Mohamed Dahir
