Squatters want minister to probe land dispute

By Erastus Mulwa

Locals stormed into heavily guarded farm claiming unfair eviction

Hundreds of residents claiming to be squatters in a 1,200-acre farm in Matungulu District want Lands minister James Orengo to investigate an alleged land grabbing by a Kiambu-based tycoon.

Last week, the squatters stormed into the farm heavily guarded by Administration Police officers, an order reportedly given by area DC Patrick Mwangi.

The charged demonstrators claimed they had been farming in the massive piece of land since independence until late last year when there were dramatically evicted by the private developer, who claimed ownership of the land.

Private Developer

Led by their Chairman Nzombe Mbulu, the farmers accused the area DC of neglecting them and allegedly colluding with the private developer to evict them from the disputed land.

“We find it strange to see armed Administration Police officers posted to guard the farm as if it’s a Government property,” Mbulu told journalists.

They further alleged that the DC had farmed 17 acres of the land, which is why it was being guarded by APs.

One of the APs confirmed they had been assigned to guard the farm by the DC.

“You should ask our boss, the DC, because he assigned us the duty himself,” an AP guarding the farm told journalists.

Reacted Angrily

But when we sought clarification over the claims, the DC reacted angrily, saying he knew nothing about the farm.

“I do not know anything about the farm and there is no information I have for you about the subject,” replied an angry Mwangi yesterday.

The farm, which is named after veteran freedom fighter and former area MP Paul Ngei, is alleged to have been bought off by Gatatha Gatatha Farmers’ Company Limited, to bail out the late politician who had been declared bankrupt by a court at the time.

But the squatters insist they are not aware of the transaction, neither had they been served with any legal notice notifying them about any change of ownership.

The farm manager, who only identified himself as Chege, dismissed the demonstrators’ allegations, saying the disputed land was privately owned.