Residents fight over disputed cemetery land in Athi River

A resident of Kwamange'ri village in Athi River, Machakos County, reacts during a protest at the Deputy County Commissioner's office yesterday. Trouble is brewing at a controversial piece of land allegedly meant for a public cemetery in the area two private companies emerged claiming ownership of the 10 acre piece of land while the residents vow not to let it go. [PHOTO BY:PETERSON GITHAIGA/standard] .

Trouble is brewing over a piece of land allegedly meant for a public cemetery at Athi River.

Two private companies have laid claim to the 10-acre piece that residents have vowed not to let go.

Lawyer Kennedy Nyaencha, representing Aqua Civil Engineering Company, and Nick Kirui of Gates Keeper Ltd have claimed that the land belongs to their respective clients, having bought it in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

The two investors presented their title deeds at the office of Athi River Deputy County Commissioner Kodek Makori following a public outcry that the said land had been sold and was being sub-divided.

"We are here to clear the air on allegations that we have grabbed public land meant for a cemetery. We have the legal documents to support our case," said Mr Nyaencha.

The two investors claimed they have been paying millions of shillings to the Machakos County Government as land rates but no one had ever told them of the cemetery.

unsuspecting developers

 

The claim comes barely a day after more than 200 residents of Kwa Mang'eli were up in arms claiming that the land had been grabbed and sold to unsuspecting private developers.

The bigger section of the 10 acres is currently occupied by semi-permanent and permanent houses with construction of more structures ongoing.

Devastated residents said they were shocked and disappointed that some private developers were working in cahoots with some area leaders to divide and sell the land to unsuspecting developers who were now developing it.

They claimed the developers have a habit of corrupting area leaders including chiefs, MCAs and senior police officers in bid to protect them.

Locals who claimed to have buried their loved ones on the land many years ago complained of being left without no public cemetery.

"I buried my husband here five years ago. This is cemetery land and we won't let it go to private developers," said Tabitha Munguti, a resident.

On Monday, more than 10 people were arrested while trying to invade the land. Mr Makori warned the residents against interfering with private property, saying it is the Government's responsibility to protect private property.