200 squatters ordered out of disputed land

National Land Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri

The National Land Commission (NLC) has ordered the more than 200 squatters at Zum Zum Investment to leave. The squatters forcibly occupied the more than 85 acres of land belonging to the firm two years ago.

It is estimated that 200 squatters have put up temporary structures and 60 of them have erected permanent buildings on the disputed land in Bamburi.

In a report dated March 10 signed by NLC chairman Muhammad Swazuri, the commission noted that the land belonged to Zum Zum Investment, which produced a genuine title deed, while the squatters failed to prove ownership.

Prof Swazuri said the commission asked both the squatters and Zum Zum to submit their ownership documents in September last year and those of the private firm were seen to be in order.

"The other claimants have not produced any documents to prove ownership other than stating that they have ancestral rights. It should be made clear that under the Constitution and land laws of Kenya, it is an offence for one to invade and occupy another person's land, whether public or private," he said.

NLC directed that the invasion on the land registration number CR 17051/10 be stopped.