Residents of Utange, Kisauni constituency are living in fear of being evicted after they were served with a 15-day notice by an absentee landlord threatening to demolish their dwellings.
The residents are engaged in a land ownership dispute with the landlord over a three-acre plot accusing local police of ignoring to implementing court orders issued in their favour.
The residents received a 15-day demolition notice on 9th December to demolish their houses. If they fail to do so, they will incur the demolition costs.
The residents claim the land is owned by the government and they applied for adverse possession.
They now want the government to stop the alleged owner from demolishing their houses.
“We want the Chief Justice Martha Koome to hear our plea. Why are our orders not acted upon only the tycoon’s orders are affected by the Police who harass us From the time we received the letter we have not slept,” said Mwanahamisi Abdalla, a resident during a demonstration.
Abdalla added that the tycoon managed to demolish some houses but was stopped by the then Kisauni MP Ali Mbogo.
They questioned how one parcel of land has three different titles and wanted the government to unravel the mystery.
They vowed to stay put and not move an inch from the land unless “They killed us, we will not accept at all. We have rights as Kenyans”
Mramba Omar, Chairman of Squatters Kisauni wants the tycoon to present his land documents to the government to be paid as promised by the Head of State.
“We want the government to be responsible for us to live in peace,” stated Mramba.
Muslim for Human Rights Rapid Response Officer Francis Auma said that their fact-finding mission has established that the residents have lived in the land for over 50 years.
“It’s an injustice because every day people are harassing vulnerable residents who have built and lived peacefully for years. Over suddenly professional land grabbers invade,” said Auma.
He further urged the police not to take sides in land disputes. He also wants the government to resolve the tussle akin to the Waitiki land in Likoni where the owner was paid.
By Sadik Hassan
