Tiwi residents in Kwale county have expressed their frustration over escalating harassment by land grabbers.
They said the grabbers use their financial power and connections with some security agencies to intimidate them.
Residents said despite receiving court orders, private developers continue their activities unabated.
Mohammed Mwanyumba, one of those affected, said the land grabbers are disregarding court orders and evading legal consequences, aided by some corrupt police officers.
"It is distressing to see that those involved in land grabbing are being shielded, while we, the affected locals, face threats," Mwanyumba said.
He said police officers are frequently dispatched to safeguard the land grabbers who are developing disputed areas, often in blatant defiance of court orders.
However, in a previous interview, County Police Commander Stephen Ng'etich denied all the allegations about police harassing locals.
Ng'etich said the police are normally sent to protect lives and property and prevent violence.
He said the police are neutral and serve all equally without favour.
Ng'etich also advised residents to remain calm since majority of the cases are active in courts.
Mwanyumba said residents are regularly arrested and falsely accused when they attempt to seek justice.
He said the residents have nowhere to go since a huge percent of ancestral land has been grabbed.
Mwanyumba said they are law-abiding citizens who have pursued every available legal avenue for justice without success.
They are repeatedly advised to remain calm despite the escalating provocations by land grabbers.
"How can we remain at calm when those breaking the law continue to act with impunity?" he asked.
Mize Hassan Ropia said they have suffered for long, noting that each day feels like a constant struggle despite being the rightful owners of the land.
She said despite having all the necessary documents and evidence, they are frequently stalled.
She said the injustices have become unbearable, as they face intimidation while fighting for their rights.
Ropia questioned why perpetrators violate court orders without facing legal consequences and instead receive protection.
She appealed to President William Ruto for intervention, noting that the issue of land grabbing has spiralled out of control.
Ropia said the historical land injustices are crippling their development since they live like squatters.
"Please have mercy on us; we want our land back. President Ruto, hear our plea," she said.
Omar Mwatawala said many ancestral lands have been seized by private developers.
He said it is becoming the norm for land grabbers to take over community lands without facing any consequences.
Private developers routinely encroach on public lands and then claim ownership, he said.
He said majority of the land from Tiwi to Diani were illegally acquired by land grabbers.
"We are tired of the injustices and we won't stop until our lands are returned."
He said they will no longer tolerate harassment and intimidation and demanded that the government intervenes.
"Our community is peaceful but should not be provoked. We have to be respected."
Mwanakombo Gakure said it is unfair at her age, that she is being evicted from her ancestral land.
She said President Ruto must keep his promise of ending historical land injustices in the Coast region.