Taveta residents protest over Basil Criticos fence
Grogan Abori residents in Taita Taveta County demonstrate over alleged grabbing of their land by former Taveta MP Basil Criticos on April 28, 2018. PHOTO | LUCY MKANYIKA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- A road linking the Abori Grogan village to Taveta town now inaccessible after being fenced in.
- Residents say fence passes through their homes and farms.
- The residents have threatened to pull down the electric fence being built on the 5000-acre piece of land.
Residents of a village in Taita Taveta County on Saturday held demonstrations against alleged grabbing of their farms by former assistant minister Basil Criticos.
The Abori Grogan residents accused Mr Criticos, a former area MP, of grabbing a 7km road that was recently built by the county government. The road links the village to Taveta town.
The residents threatened to pull down the electric fence being put up by Mr Criticos around his 5,000-acre piece of land, claiming it passes through their farms and homes.
Some of the fence posts erected on disputed land that local residents at Abori Grogan in Taita Taveta County. The residents held demos on April 28, 2018 threatening to pull down the fence. PHOTO | LUCY MKANYIKA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
The 5000-acre land includes the famous Grogan Castle and his expansive sisal plantation.
A resident, Mr Brown Kazi, said they could also not access the local dispensary because the road to the health facility has also been fenced in.
“This road has been here since 1952. It used to be the boundary between the sisal estate and the community. He is now claiming that it is in his plantation, something we don't understand,” Mr Kazi said.
ELUSIVE
He accused Mr Criticos of being elusive in meeting the locals in a bid to resolve the situation.
“We have met six times and each time he gives false promises. We are now standing our ground that no construction will go on here,” he said.
Mr Matayo Babu displays his title deed for the piece of land he alleges former Taveta MP Basil Criticos has grabbed at Abori Grogan area in Taita Taveta County. Mr Criticos is building a fence around his 5,000-acre piece of land. PHOTO | LUCY MKANYIKA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Another resident, Mr Matayo Babu, said his house has been grabbed and yet he has a title deed for the piece of land.
“My house has been fenced in yet I am the rightful owner of this piece of land because I have a title deed,” said Mr Babu.
Another road leading to Mata primary and secondary schools is also inaccessible after being fenced in.
The residents said pupils do not have an alternative road when schools reopen for second term on Monday.
“He had said he will make an alternative road but the road was shoddily done so it has become impassable due to the ongoing rains,” said Ms Lucy Brown.
When contacted, Mr Criticos refused to comment on the land grabbing allegations.
