Reprieve for 5,000 squatters as Pwani University halts planned eviction, clarifies land ownership

Pwani University Vice Chancellor Mohamed Rajab (right) with Kibarani Ward Representative Getrude Mbeyu address squatters at Kijabe Football Grounds in Kibarani, Kilifi County Tuesday. [PHOTO : JOSEPH MASHA/STANDARD]

KILIFI: Over 5,000 squatters in Kilifi Tuesday got a reprieve after Pwani University administrators said it had no plans to evict them from the 270-acre land whose ownership is under dispute.

The said plot is one of the three disputed parcels of land in Kilifi County that have created bad blood between the University and the community neighbouring the institution.

In 2008, the university sought orders to eject the squatters prompting some squatters to file a case in the High Court in Malindi in December 9 to oppose the move.

Tension has been rising since December last year after the High Court in Malindi ruled in favour of the institution.

Tuesday, the university's Vice Chancellor Mohamed Rajab said the ruling did not include the 270-acre land stretching from Msufini, Vibandani to YMCA in Kibarani.

"I am going to write a consent letter and take it to the court so that the judges can re-look at the initial judgment of the land dispute case between the university and the squatters. I belief one of the disputed plots does not belong to the institution and I'll make sure that it is handed to the families living there," said Prof Rajab.

Rajab, his deputy James Kahindi and Kibarani Ward Representative Getrude Mbeyu held an emergency meeting with the squatters at Kijabe Football Grounds in Kibarani, Kilifi town to tell them that the said plot does not belong to the institution and diffuse tension. Other plots whose ownership is under dispute are 5046/1, 5046/2, 5024/1 and 5024/1.

"Plot number 5064/5 is not part of our university land and it will never be and that I have come here to officially tell you that you are safe living on the piece of land which boarders our land," said Rajab as the squatters cheered.

Area Ward Representative Getrude Mbeyu said the court erred by including the said land as part of the disputed plots.

"There has been tension since the December 9, 2014 ruling between the squatters and the university but we are happy that the issues have been resolved," said Ms Mbeyu.