Political leaders in Garissa county have accused the Kenya Defence Forces of grabbing grazing land in Modika town.
They said the army has started fencing off the 40 Squares community land to build military barracks.
Speaking to the Star on the phone yesterday, Garissa Township MP Aden Duale urged the military to cease or be sued.
"They should restrict themselves to their land until this issue is resolved amicably," he said.
Leaders who agreed with him include area MP Balambala MP Abdikadir Omar.
Others are MCAs Abdiwahab Suleiman (Sankuri), Mahat Osman (Jarajilla) and Noor Osman (Danyere), who spoke to the press in Modika.
Duale urged KDF to consult before proceeding with any construction works.
They should talk to residents, the National Land Commission and the Lands ministry, he said.
Omar said the army is violating land laws.
“It is unacceptable take any land without involving the community who are likely to be displaced,” he said.
"KDF's actions are intimidation and abuse of the our community's right to ownership of their God-given land."
The MP said the territory is "the only remaining grazing land" in the constituency.
The MCAs said the land is a lifeline for pastoralists.
They said they will play their oversight role to ensure the it is not taken away forcibly by any government agency.
“It has a water point for livestock and residents,,” Suleiman said.
The MCA said residents were shocked to see vehicles transporting building materials to fence off the land.
Suleiman said they found out from government agencies the land was earmarked for military barracks.
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