Police direct landlords to prove ownership in 230-acre land row
Ms Mariam Dena, 70, walks out of a house she constructed after they invaded a 230 acre farm in Bofa/Kiwandani. She claimed that she was born in that land but her family was chased away by a British family which is claiming ownership of the land. PHOTO | KAZUNGU SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- County Police Commander Alexander Makau said in his office yesterday that the officers can only go and chase away the illegal invaders when the owners have recorded a complaint and provided documents to prove ownership of the land.
- The more than 1,400 residents who invaded the land have started erecting structures, claiming the British family failed to produce legal ownership documents.
Police have invited those laying clam to a 230-acre parcel of land in Bofa, Kiwandani, to record a statement following its invasion by more than 1,400 residents last week.
The officers said this would enable them to act on the standoff between the occupiers and a British farmer.
County Police Commander Alexander Makau said in his office yesterday that the officers can only go and chase away the illegal invaders when the owners have recorded a complaint and provided documents to prove ownership of the land.
The more than 1,400 residents who invaded the land have started erecting structures, claiming the British family failed to produce legal ownership documents.
“The truth is, the family only owns a small piece,” said Mr Makau. “The rest, which the squatters have invaded, is owned by more than five individuals.
“There has been an on-off invasion of the land for the past 10 years. The problem is, whenever we arrest these people, no complainant comes forward to say they had invaded his or her land. So, they are released.”
When the Daily Nation visited the farm on Monday, some people were putting up structures while others cleared vegetation to prepare the land for planting of crops.
“We shall not move out of this land because the British farmer has failed to show ownership documents,” said George Kalama, the secretary of Nayeni/Mibuyuni Association. “This is our ancestral land but our families were chased away by the British.
“We are happy to return home.”
The association’s chairman, Mr Mataza Chilumo, said the residents had suffered in the quest for the land.
“I have been arrested and charged with trespass on several occasions but the British farmer has no documents to prove that he owns this land,” said Mr Mataza. “He has been defeated, and the 1,400 people here is a sign of victory.”
