Land disputes in Tana as old as communities from the region

By JECKONIA OTIENO

Land problems in Tana River County are as old as the communities that live in the region.

If it is not residents wrangling among themselves, then it is locals embroiled in feuds with rich businessmen, who they accuse of grabbing their land.

Charo Nzai has lived in Kipini, Tana Delta, since 1987, when the place was still bushy. One of his sons, Rajab Charo, now married, was born in Kipini on the parcel of land he now claims he will be ejected from if the Government does not intervene.

The family’s existence is threatened allegedly by a Mombasa businessman who is claiming ownership of the land.

The old man has been warned by the rich businessman’s operative to relocate from the land that is near the seafront at Kizuiliani.

Like many other residents in the same predicament, Nzai does not know where to go. He now fears he will be forcefully evicted from land that he has inhabited for more than 20 years.

Nzai has about 25 grandchildren and 22 children, most of them living on the 12-acre piece of land.

In Kilelengwani, residents are moving to Onidho, which they say is relatively safer, after receiving threats of forceful eviction.

But they vow that the land they are leaving behind is still theirs and no other community will settle on it.

The Tana River county government seems not very keen on solving the land disputes.

County wrangles

County leaders are involved in wrangles that pit the governor against his deputy and Members of the County Assembly.

The Standard sought the county official’s views on the land disputes but this writer did not get any response.

Both Governor Hussein Dado and his deputy Jire Siyat were not in the office. They were said to be attending to other duties in the county.

The leaders, including Senator Ali Abdi, did not return our calls or text messages.

Some residents accuse the county government of taking sides in the land disputes.

A report by the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into the Tana Delta dispute revealed that organised groups were active during the 2012 violence and some leaders had taken sides.

“The attacks were carried out by organised criminal groups in a co-ordinated manner and with some sort of command structure. The attacks themselves were executed with military precision, suggesting that the groups had received some prior training,” said the report.

Tana Delta Deputy County Commissioner Mike Kimoko said the administration is monitoring the situation to avert a recurrence of violence.