Kibokoni squatters rally against land grabbing, call for new adjudication
Over 400 squatters allege that large portions of land have been allocated to outsiders, while they were informed they would only receive small plots measuring between 50 by 100 feet and 100 by 100 feet.
Residents of the Kibokoni Baharini squatter settlement in Sabaki ward, Magarini Sub County, Kilifi County have staged protests over what they describe as unfair adjudication of a 540-acre land parcel, demanding the process be conducted again.
Represented by leaders Evans Thethe and Frida Kazeha, over 400 squatters allege that large portions of land have been allocated to outsiders, while they were informed they would only receive small plots measuring between 50 by 100 feet and 100 by 100 feet.
"We settled on this land back in 2002 and have since developed homes here. However, some individuals, backed by security agencies, are trying to harass and evict us. It’s unreasonable that after reclaiming this land and living here for nearly 30 years, I’m only given a small plot when I actually own five acres," Kazeha told the Standard.
They expressed frustration over failed attempts to resolve the issue, despite President William Ruto’s directive to allocate the land to the squatters living there.
"Not long ago, President Ruto visited Sabaki and ordered that land title deeds be issued to us. However, instead of following his orders, officials have brought outsiders who were given large portions of land, while we were left with tiny plots. We will continue to stand firm until justice is served," he said.
Meanwhile, land rights advocate Nyundo Kudundi accused officials from the Ministry of Lands of exploiting President Ruto’s directive to unlawfully seize parts of the land.
"This scheme needs to be redone and properly adjudicated as a squatter settlement scheme. It has been over six months since the adjudication took place, yet no one has received their allotment numbers or access to the land map, which should have been provided within three months of the process," Kudundi stated.
The squatters also raised concerns that, despite the adjudication process underway, they have not been given allotment letters.
Meanwhile, new individuals are marking and fencing large portions of the land, forcing genuine squatters off their plots.
They are now calling on the government to cancel the current adjudication exercise and to conduct a new one using an accurate list of genuine squatters.
