President William Ruto on Saturday issued a stern warning to land grabbers, highlighting their negative impact on Kenya's development goals.

Addressing Kenyans who had gathered at the Masinde Muliro Stadium in Bungoma County to commemorate the 61st Madaraka Day celebrations, Ruto urged persons involved in land grabbing in the area to immediately vacate and cede the parcels to the government.

"The people around this stadium, especially those who have decided to acquire some of the public land. Please, tuheshimiane kidogo, kila mtu ambaye akona shamba ya serikali, funga virago vyako polepole," he said.  

"Hatutaki vita na mtu kwa sababu mali ya umma ni ya wananchi wa Kenya." 

Ruto's warning comes nearly a month after a Ksh.500 million building belonging to the family of former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati was demolished to pave way for the renovation of the Masinde Muliro stadium.

Reports indicated that the building's proprietor, Patrick Wangamati, had allegedly acquired the land illegally but he adamantly denied the assertions.

“I did not obtain this land illegally. It was advertised. I applied and got it, I was running to a petrol station called Ajip petrol station,” he said then.

 “If I’m a land grabber I could own huge pieces of land in Webuye because that is the town that I have operated in for a long time. ”

He further criticised the Bungoma County government for allegedly ignoring a court order that halted the demolition.

“I’m really disappointed with this move. The government should invite us and discuss to see how they can compensate me and my family,” he said.