Why we demand compensation from Britain

Kericho County government is pushing for compensation of the members of Talai and Kipsigis communities for land lost to the British in a move similar to the Mau Mau case.

While critics say the decision could open old wounds and destabilise the multi-billion tea sector in the county, Governor Paul Chepkwony strongly argues that justice delayed is justice denied.

Your administration is due to start a legal process against Britain for compensation of the Kipsigis and the Talai for their land, what is the justification?

We are procuring a lawyer who will argue our case in London. Nearly 100 years ago, our people were thrown into difficult circumstances when the British took away their land. 

The victims still exist. They are living in abject poverty while what used to be their land is now part of a huge tea estate. It is only fair that they must be compensated.

Are you not opening old wounds?

There is no limitation of time in seeking justice. These were serious human rights violations, which took place years ago. Justice delayed is justice denied. Mau Mau veterans were compensated for ills committed against them. We are not different.

Are you not afraid that the move could destabilise the  tea sector, which is dominated by multinationals?

This is not targeting the tea estates and our investors should not worry. We are only addressing appalling events that occurred under the colonial British government. We are suing the British, not the tea estates.

Do you think the multinational tea companies operating in this county have done enough in giving back to the society?
The issue of corporate social responsibility has been used to mislead people that something is being done. Companies conduct activities for the media but they have no impact on the ground. What we really want to see is more being done in terms of public-private partnership.

You were a university professor, a highly trained pharmaceutical chemist. Why politics?

I wanted to be part of the change the people of Kericho wanted.  I wanted to help them address issues relating to education, water, health, roads, agriculture and technology. I am an innovator with more than 30 patents.  I wanted to apply my creativity to transform Kericho.

What is your plan for the Information Communication Technology (ICT) sector?

Kericho County is the first one in the county to launch a modern ICT centre, which has up to 60 computers as one way of assisting young people to access jobs locally and internationally.

There has been concern over the calibre of Members of County Assemblies. Being a university professor, don’t you feel a gap between yourself and MCAs?

A: The Constitution did set out the conditions to be met by every leader seeking election. I have no problem with the MCAs that I have. I am contented with their qualification and competencies.

In fact, if you see the quality of the debates in the assembly, you will be amazed because they are of high standard. The county legislature and executive are engaged in entirely different responsibilities. While the executive members implement policies, the MCAs have the oversight function.

You recently survived an impeachment trial. What was the experience?

It was traumatising because after the motion of impeachment was passed, the information was immediately posted on social media. I was not taken through the required steps and there was no investigation by the relevant arms of government.

I am glad that the Senate vindicated me when it ruled that none of the allegations were true. I have now put that unfortunate past behind me.

What did you learn from the impeachment process?

I learnt that it is very easy in Kenya to impeach the governor, while the process to remove other elected leaders is much longer and difficult. Better structures must be put in place to ensure that governors are protected from unnecessary impeachment threats. I also realised that Senate can be fair.

Why are you opposed to creation of a county development board to be chaired by your senator?

I think the President should never have signed the County Governments Amendment Act, which established the boards. The Constitution is very clear that there are two levels of government.

The people who provide oversight over the President are the MPs at the national Assembly and Senators are also at the national level. At the counties, we have the MCAs who check the county executive led by the governor.

Having senators come to provide oversight to us is a violation of the Constitution. Can you imagine a situation where at the national government there is someone else who sits as the chairman in a board in which the President is the secretary?

To what extent should the Senate be involved in county activities?
A: They should remain at the national level and allow the governors to run the counties. The Senators should fight for resources to get to the counties and debate impeachment of governors or the President in case of abuse of public office.

Q: An MP has a Bill seeking to revert the health sector back to the national government. He argues that you have no capacity to handle the sector.

A: The health sector in Kericho is well run. In the past year, we have constructed 70 health centres and dispensaries and bought drugs worth hundreds of millions of shillings. It is not true that governors have failed to perform in the management of the health sector. We will fight any attempts to have the sector reverted to the national government.

Q: What are you doing to revamp agriculture in Kericho?
A: We recently launched vaccination drive against the East Coast Fever, which will cover all the 300,000 heads of cattle. Once an animal is vaccinated, its market price shoots up immediately by between Sh10,000 and Sh30,000.

My government is also providing farmers with high quality semen for artificial insemination, which is offered for free.   Farmers used to pay Sh1,500 for the service. The aim here is to improve the overall quality of our herds and in the process raise the income of farmers.

What about cash crop production?

A: The county government has moved to seek international markets for locally produced crops like sweet potatoes, bananas and sorghum. Already, we have a tender to export five tonnes of sweet potatoes weekly to the European Union through a market in England under the Sahara Communities Abroad (Sacoma).

We don’t have that capacity, we will partner with neighbouring counties such as Kisumu. This year, I have allocated Sh2 million towards the completion of a sweet potato cleaning and packaging plant in Kiptere, Sigowet/Soin Constituency from which the products to be exported will be processed.

There has been a lot of complaints from farmers over the failure by the Kenya Tea Development Agency tea factories to give them their mini-bonuses. What is not being done right?

A: We are looking at the matter seriously since it contravenes the presidential order, and a similar order I gave as governor. Only farmers in Kericho and Bomet did not receive the bonuses while those in other parts of the country did.

We are conducting serious investigations into this matter with the County Assembly, which recently summoned the KTDA Directors from this county to explain the absence of this year’s half-year bonus.

What progress have you made in the tourism sector?

A: My government has moved to set up the first ever wildlife conservancy called Chebulu, which we foresee will be a major source of tourist attraction. It will be located on a 600-acre piece of land in Sigowet/Soin Constituency and is due to be commissioned in six months.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has agreed to give us a variety of wildlife to start off, including zebras and giraffes and a few caged animals.

Do you see sports as a possible area of job creation and economic growth?

A: I am placing a lot of focus on this sector as part of promoting the young people. We have injected Sh200 million into improving sports facilities. We are setting up the first high altitude training camp for athletes in Kericho.

I am glad to note that in recent international athletics competitions, runners from Kericho have won several gold and other medals for this country. We will support them develop their talents. We are also partnering with the Nation Media Group to organize a major marathon that will take place next month.