Fraudsters invade Waitiki farm in a bid to acquire plots

Fraudsters have invaded the controversial Waitiki farm in Likoni, Mombasa County in a bid to cash in on a survey of the 930-acre property currently occupied by more than 10,000 squatters.

Speaking at Shika Adabu Chief’s Office Monday, National Land Commission chairman Mohammed Swazuri said people who were not on the list were trying to illegally acquire plots.

“We will stick to the list compiled in August,” he said.

Accompanied by new Land Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi, Prof Swazuri said surveyors had done 60 per cent of the work since they started about 10 days ago.

The planners have also completed work on 80 per cent of social amenities such as schools, shopping centres, playgrounds, hospitals and worship areas.

“Some houses will have to be adjusted to accommodate roads for emergency services such as ambulances or fire engines,” he said.

150 ACRES SOLD

The chairman said it had been discovered that the owner, Mr Evanson Waitiki, had sold 150 acres to certain individuals and leased some parcels.

He said after the survey, he would meet the owner to clear up these issues before title deeds were handed over to the new owners.

Prof Kaimenyi said his ministry and the land commission had patched up their differences.

“You will never again hear us fight in public over the land docket because we have resolved to work together for the benefit of wananchi,” he said.

Prof Kaimenyi said he was in the region to familiarise himself with the land’s historical injustices.

Although conspicuously absent, Likoni MP Masoud Mwahima said by phone he had visited nine of the leased parcels of land since the survey began.