Mbeere South MP, journalists arrested in Embu evictions

Police in Makima as shops were demolished in what residents believe was a move by TARDA to evict them. [Muriithi Mugo, Standard]

Mbeere South MP Geoffrey King'ang'i and a group of journalists including KTN reporter Daniel Moige and Cameraman Muriithi Mugo are being held at Yatta Police Station. 

The legislator and journalists were arrested while covering the evictions of hundreds of squatters at Makima area in the Tana and Athi River Development Authority (Tarda) disputed land.

The arrests come barely a month after scores of the residents vowed to resist evictions by Tarda which has accused them of trespassing on its land.

The residents claim ownership of the land near Masinga and Kiambere dams where they live and farm.

But Tarda issued an eviction notice through acting managing director Emilio Mugo, dated February 16 requiring them to vacate the land immediately.

Police said the ongoing evictions follow a court order directing the residents to be evicted to pave way for the demarcation and beaconing of the disputed land parcel.

It is not yet clear why the Member of Parliament and the journalists were arrested.