Changamwe MP Omar Mwinyi, has vowed to resist the imminent eviction of over 400 households from Kenya Pipeline Company (KPC) land, accusing authorities of sidelining local leaders and using intimidation tactics.
The eviction, part of KPC’s nationwide initiative to clear petroleum pipeline wayleaves, aims to enhance safety by removing settlements that pose risks of explosion due to aging and corroding pipelines.
Residents of Changamwe, Portreitz, Chaani, and Airport wards have been living on the disputed land, many unaware of the looming danger.
While some residents have voluntarily started demolishing their homes, others are holding out, awaiting further developments. Tensions have escalated as KPC, backed by heavy police presence, moves to enforce the evictions.
The area MP is accusing KPC of snubbing meetings called by the National Assembly to resolve the standoff. He wants the National Government Administrative Officers to involve his office when conducting public participation on critical matters that affect the locals.
“Throughout this week, they have deployed a contingent of 100 to 200 police officers to instill fear in our constituents. Tenants are being threatened with eviction. They are suffering,” said the legislator.
The MP pointed an accusing finger at an influential MP from Uasin Gishu who is being used by land grabbers to aid the grabbing of government parcels of land in Changamwe.
“He is being used as a broker in the Dunga Unuse area. There are government plots there that we had earmarked for the construction of affordable houses for the residents. The Ministry of Housing went there and identified those lands,” said the MP.
“He has come to stand guard for the grabbers for the plots to be grabbed while thinking we are not aware. We know what’s happening in Changamwe,” added the MP.
He warned the MP to tame his appetite for public land for cash rewards, depriving the common people of a place to call home.
Mwinyi further revealed that the tycoons have also grabbed land belonging to the Kenya Ports Authority and forged the documents.
However, he said that the Deputy President has assured him that he will visit the area next week, accompanied by the relevant State Agencies for the residents to get justice for the two-decade standoff.
“The DP has assured us that he will call all the relevant agencies not to harass our people. We are telling the residents to sleep and go on with their activities until we sit down and amicably solve the matter.”
By Sitati Reagan
