Squatters vow to stay put on farm till Ngilu assures them
What you need to know:
- Nayeni Squatters Association chairman Baraka Thoya said the group would not leave until they were assured of getting the land they claim is theirs.
- One of them, Major Chris Gountier, said he will sue the squatters as he bought the land legally.
- “We have asked them to leave the land and await the outcome of a meeting with their representatives at the governor’s office on Friday (today),” he said.
More than 300 squatters have refused to leave a private farm they invaded in Kilifi on Monday until Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu addresses them.
The squatters brought down a perimeter wall on Monday and entered the 20-acre farm owned by a British settler and subdivided it among themselves.
They have vowed to stay put despite appeals from officials to move out while negotiations take place.
A meeting between their representative, county and land commission officials and the owners on Tuesday ended prematurely due to heated disagreements.
Nayeni Squatters Association chairman Baraka Thoya said the group would not leave until they were assured of getting the land they claim is theirs.
“We will not leave until we are addressed by Lands CS Charity Ngilu. This is our land and we want it back,” he said.
Investors who bought land on the farm said they were contemplating legal action against the squatters.
SUE THE SQUATTERS
One of them, Major Chris Gountier, said he will sue the squatters as he bought the land legally.
“I am consulting my lawyer and we shall soon know what action to take,” he said.
Major Gountier’s caretaker, Mr Evans Magotsi, said after demolishing the perimeter wall, the squatters sold the building stones.
Kilifi Township Location Senior Chief Athman Matano said the squatters had been asked to move while a solution is sought.
“We have asked them to leave the land and await the outcome of a meeting with their representatives at the governor’s office on Friday (today),” he said.
Kilifi County Executive Officer John Mazuri said he was hopeful that the matter would be resolved at today’s meeting.
Area Ward Representative Lawrence Kilabo dismissed claims that politicians were responsible for the standoff.
“This matter is not linked to politicians and I am here to prove that. In fact, we are working hard to solve the problem. We have held talks with one of the private developers and expect to meet others soon,” he said.
The disputed 20 acres are part of the 270-acre Kiwandani Bofa land that has persistently been dogged by controversies over its ownership.