Goons on looting spree at Mlolongo Factory amid land row

Drama ensued in Mlolongo, Machakos County on Tuesday, August 16, 2023, when a set of two hired " goons" invaded a carton godown and looted goods from it including removing iron sheets from the building. [Collins Kweyu, Standard]

A factory that stands on a piece of land at the centre of a dispute between two parties in Mlolongo has been broken into and costly equipment stolen by suspected goons.

Since Saturday, some goons have been hanging around Megvel Cartons Limited after auctioneers and police forcibly gained access and demolished a section of the factory.

On Tuesday, August 15, some strangers gained full access to the factory and climbed all the way to the roof where they uprooted it and carted away the iron sheets in the absence of police officers.

Megvel owners however insist that they had acquired a court order stopping any auctioneers from carrying out any activity until the matter is heard and determined.

According to Megvel advocate Justus Obuya, an auctioneer of the person eyeing the land went to court without their knowledge and obtained an eviction order at the magistrate court under the miscellaneous application.

Even so, Obuya acting for the factory went to court to apply for another directive seeking to stop the auctioneers from carrying out any activities.

The Magistrate court in Machakos issued stay orders and directed Mlolongo OCS to ensure that peace is maintained.

"Pending the hearing of and determination of this application inter-parties the orders issued on June 30 be and is hereby stayed and that inter parties hearing on August 15, 2023," the court order reads in part.

However, Obuya claims attempts to serve the Mlolongo Police Station were futile until the strangers stormed into the factory.

On Saturday, Mlolongo police boss Anderson Muriithi said police acted on earlier court orders secured by the auctioneers.

"There was a court directive for us to maintain law and order as the auctioneers carry out their activities," Muriithi.

Muriithi added that he had gathered reports that some people gained access to the factory and destroyed a section of it.