Bonchari Members are crying out for justice following the illegal takeover of their property in a controversial land-grabbing scheme that has exposed deep-seated corruption and mismanagement.
The letter has addressed to relevant authorities, the members have called for urgent intervention to stop what they describe as a fraudulent transaction that took place without their consent.
According to the letter seen by Voicenews.africa, ‘’it has come to our attention and from reliable sources that the farmers’ properties, i.e. a parcel of land at Gesonso, has been grabbed and sold to unknown persons/identities.”
The members allege that the dealings were orchestrated by individuals falsely claiming to be office bearers of the cooperative society.
‘’At no time did our said cooperative members hold any meeting to discuss the selling or disposing of any property or properties of our said members.”
Bonchari MP, Dr. Charles Onchoke, has raised the concerns through writing a letter of intervention to CS Wycliffe Oparanya of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Development.
In a letter he said, ‘’I wish to draw your attention to the above captioned subject regarding the apparent illegal appropriation of property belonging to Kenyoro coffee cooperative Society on Kisii South Sub County, Bonchari Constituency.’’
He further writes, ‘’According to a letter to the Kisii County commissioner dated 19th March 19, 2025 which was copied to your office and mine, it would appear that a parcel of land belonging to Kenyoro Cooperative has allegedly been or is being acquired by unknown people without neither the authority nor consent of the society members.’’
Onchoke quotes, ‘’Kenyoro Cooperative Society comprises the following five coffee factories. Gesebe, Gesonso, Gesuguri, Nyandoche Ibere, and Nyamagundo spread across the entire sub-county. On the face of it, this issue sounds like a crime which is similar to the recent Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Cooperative Ltd Scandal Which should never be entertained.’’
Additionally, they claim that the sub-county co-operatives office did not call any meeting to deliberate on such a transaction.
The concerned farmers have appealed to authorities, including the Cabinet Secretary, the County Co-operative Officer, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), urging them to take immediate action. They warn that failure to address the issue could set a dangerous precedent for other co-operative societies in the country.
The farmers are now calling for urgent intervention to halt any further activities on the contested land.
“Sir, lastly, kindly/please urgently intervene and stop any activities to be done on the said parcels of land at Kenyoro Farmers Co-operative Society at Gesonso for all intents and purposes.” the letter quotes.
Authorities are yet to respond to the concerns raised by the farmers, but the matter continues to draw public attention as stakeholders call for justice to be served.