- Some individuals have since claimed ownership of the land in question.
- The residents emphasised that anyone claiming ownership should take the matter to court.
Image: CHARLES MGHENYI
Residents of Chirima in Tiwi, Kwale county, are protesting the alleged grabbing of 1.5 acres of community land by a private developer.
The contested land, located along a beach access road, is part of the 960-acre Diani complex.
The titles for the entire Diani complex were previously nullified and a fresh adjudication process initiated to resolve ownership disputes.
Some individuals have since claimed ownership of the land in question.
However, residents argue that the Diani complex project, which stretches from Diani to Tiwi, was designed to seize their community land.
Resident Hamisi Mwajao said after the community petitioned the relevant authorities, previous governments nullified the project. He called for confiscation of fraudulent titles and review of the adjudication process.
"The new adjudication process began in 2016 but was halted in 2022 due to lack of funding.”
Mwajao expressed concern that, while the process remains incomplete, unknown individuals have begun presenting fake title deeds to claim ownership of the ancestral land.
"All Diani complex title deeds were declared null and void due to the injustices committed against the local community, and they are not recognised by law. Despite the ongoing adjudication process, some individuals dare to present illegal documents in an attempt to claim ownership."
Mwajao urged the residents to strictly follow the law and adhere to court and National Land Commission directives.
Anyone claiming ownership should take the matter to court.
"Don’t come here using force. If you claim it’s your land, let’s meet in court," he said.
Juma Amri, another resident, criticised security officers for being exploited by the perpetrators of land grabbing.
He said a contingent of police officers was often deployed to protect land grabbers as they attempted to develop the seized ancestral land.
"The community has remained silent for too long, but the time has come to stand up against these injustices," Amri said.
While noting that the community is generally peaceful and law-abiding, he said they felt provoked when private developers blatantly violated the law without facing any consequences.
"For peace to prevail, land grabbers must stay away from our ancestral land. Not a single inch will be taken under our watch from now on."
Mohammed Mwinyi Mwanyumba expressed sadness that their ancestral land had been turned into gifts for outsiders.
It was heartbreaking for indigenous people to live like squatters on land once owned by their ancestors.
"It’s frustrating to see strangers from other parts of the country claim ownership of large parcels of land and evict locals," Mwanyumba said.
He accused local leaders of remaining silent on the protracted land injustices.
Mize Ropia urged President William Ruto to fulfil his promise to resolve land issues at the Coast. She expressed frustration that some tycoons continued to deprive residents of their land.
"Many lands have been stolen, leaving local residents homeless with nowhere to turn," Ropia said.
Youth leader Juma Matata said the younger generation was well-versed in the law and would do whatever it took to protect their rights.
"Land grabbers must realise that this generation is different. In the past, residents were often taken advantage of due to illiteracy, but that won’t happen now," Matata said.