Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro has accused the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of protecting tycoons and land grabbers.
While inspecting the demolition of unapproved constructions, the governor said his administration targets establishments on contested settlement schemes within the county.
Mung’aro, claimed that many villagers were being harassed by land grabbers and tycoons through the DCI office.
He went on and warned DCI officials at the Mtwapa police station to stop meddling in land matters.
“All buildings built without a county approval letter will be brought down and DCI should not involve themselves in land matters since that is our mandate. I am sending a warning to the DCI that they either stop or we shall deal with them,” he said.
The governor further stated that some Mtwapa residents who live in the Mwendo wa Panya area have received summons asking them to appear before the DCI office at Mtwapa Police Station for questioning over land.
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Mung’aro said all developments without approvals will be brought down. In addition, he vowed to end the forceful evictions in the county.
Land grabbers in Kilifi
Mung’aro stated that Kilifi South Sub County was notorious for land grabbers who had questionable land ownership documents and were using the courts and the DCI office to frustrate the county government’s efforts to settle squatters.
“The issue of harassing our people will no longer be accepted because we have our by-laws that guide on matters land. They should know that they have just been posted here and tomorrow they will not be there,” he added.
The land grabbing incidents are common in Mtwapa area and areas bordering the ocean.
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Residents said that the constant harassment had rendered them poor.
This was attributed by fear of investing in their land because of constant evictions.
In July 2023, President William Ruto issued 1692 title deeds to residents from Kijipwa, Roka Uyombo, Mjanaheri, and Malindi township in Kilifi County.
“I assure you that I’ll come back to issue over 17,000 title deeds to Kilifi people so that this area can grow,” said President Ruto.
