Mau Mau freedom fighter’s widow says the then Head of State promised her the land after she asked for help

About 100 members of freedom fighter Dedan Kimathi’s family on Tuesday fled for their lives when they were attacked by a mob as they toured land in Athi River they say was given to them by President Mwai Kibaki during his tenure.

The group, including Kimathi’s widow, Mukami, were chased away by people from Mlolongo, Kitengela, Athi River and Nairobi who have occupied the land and built structures.

The 4,000 acres is part of the 16,000 acres owned by East Africa Portland Cement where it mines limestone.

Speaking to the media at Athi River, Mrs Kimathi said President Kibaki promised the family the land after she appealed to him to help relocate her kin.

“I was told to identify land that did not have claims against it and we did so. I have all the documents that show the process we undertook,” Mrs Kimathi said.

“President Kibaki told me it would be handed over to us at State House soon after the process of dispossessing Portland Cement was complete,” she said.

“I appeal to the government to help in resettling us as we were promised the land a long time ago,” she said.

A check by the Nation showed  that groups of people who are demanding to be allocated the land have built structures.

The Mau Mau veteran fighter’s grandson Jonathan Wachiuri Kimathi said the family had waited for too long for the land and decided to inspect it only to find it occupied.

“People armed with stones other weapons chased us away and I was hit in the back with a club,” Mr Wachiuri said. He said several other members of the family were taken to Shalom Hospital in Athi River with injuries.

Mr Wachiuri is the man who tied himself to the statue of Dedan Kimathi in Nairobi’s CBD in protest over land injustices.

“It is wrong to tell us to come here and see for ourselves land that is said to be free only to find hooligans occupying it. And they furthermore pelt old people with stones,” he said.

“We all know that Kimathi has never been given land officially and that is why he was given priority to settle here,” Mr Wachiuri said.

Athi River police boss Kizito Mutoro told the family that the situation was under control and urged them to be patient as the government acts on the matter.

He said the family was not the first to lay claim to the land and others have been to the site.

“Some groups are from Nairobi, Mlolongo, Kayole and Kitengela town and we are investigating their claims,” he said.

The decision by the occupiers to built structures was a result of fears the land could be sold to individuals after the company finishes mining limestone. This comes after part of the land was sold to a private developer who built houses for sale.

Athi River politician and businessman Benedict Nzeki told Nation it is unlawful for people to come from all over the country and demand the land without any papers to prove ownership.

“This is orchestrated by people with ulterior motives,” he said.

Mr Nzeki said the local community should be given priority if the land was being disposed of.

He said East Africa Portland Cement and area leaders had agreed that no claims would be made on land that is still being mined. The Nation established that the company had indeed agreed to let go only part of the 1,000-acre Kunkur land for allocation to local communities and other organised groups.

The land is not new to controversy. Last year a parliamentary team fled the area after they were attacked by a mob as they attempted to tour the land.

In the past year alone, several people have been killed in disputes among the groups who have laid claim to the land.

The Kimathi family is the newest group to claim a piece of the land and it remains to be seen how the company will settle  the issue.