By Betty Luke
A section of youths in Waso ward, Samburu East have accused Losesia Group Ranch leadership of alleged mismanagement and exclusion of community members from key decisions affecting their welfare and livelihood.
Speaking during a peaceful demonstrations within Archers Post town on Thursday, the residents claimed the current committee had, without consulting the thousands of ranch members and the larger community, written to the British Training Unit Kenya (Batuk) seeking compensation for their continued activities in the county, forcing the unit to suspend operations in the area.
The downsizing of operations including training activities, they said, had left hundreds of young people who depended on Batuk jobless and struggling to make ends meet.
“Since the Batuk left, there has been a surge in criminal activities because the young people who lost their jobs have no source of livelihood. Many of them have resorted to drug and substance abuse as a coping mechanism,” Youth leader Simon Lekinau said.
Hi sentiments were echoed by Felix Lekidor who demanded an urgent dissolution of the committee to pave way for new leadership that would streamline operations and protect the community’s interests. The team has overstayed in office, nearly doubling their three-year-term, renewable through elections.
“The committee members led by the Chairperson, Secretary and the Treasurer can no longer be trusted. They are only serving their own selfish interests instead of pushing for our needs,” he said.
The residents further decried that tens of businesses had collapsed after Batuk’s exit.
Human rights crusader David Lokia criticized the officials over what he termed as being obsession with accumulating wealth at the expense of struggling members and residents.
“The Board wrote a letter to Batuk demanding compensation from 1994 without involving us. They wanted to be compensated more than Sh400 million on behalf of the community. We are deeply saddened that board leaders expected to be consultative in their decisions have turned the Board into a private enterprise,” said Lokia.
The residents claimed the ranch secretary was unlawfully in office as “law bars private land owners from ranch leadership”.
“We appeal to the national and county government to intervene and help dissolve the committee so we can elect loyal representatives to the office,” Lokia said.
The residents have also cautioned the Batuk and any other prospective partner or donor against entering into any agreement with the current ranch leadership, until a caretaker committee is picked or substantive office holders are elected.
