By Linah Benyawa and Eric Njuguna

Residents of Likoni in Mombasa rose up against the proposed eviction of 120,000 squatters from land owned by businessman Evanson Waitiki.

Tension has been growing between the squatters and Waitiki who went to court early this month to enforce a November 8, 2001, court order.

The decree issued by Justice Andrew Hayanga, is one of 18 such court orders across Coast Province regarding the Waitiki Farm in Likoni.

Disturbances

Coast PPO Aggrey Adoli has sworn affidavit claiming there will be “disturbances thereafter” if the eviction goes through and that there is inadequate police in the region to throw out the squatters.

On July 19, Justice Francis Tuiyot restored 9,200 acres to the Mazrui Family in Takaungu where 10,000 families live as squatters.

Waitiki has now sued Police Commissioner Mathew Iteere for failing to enforce the order and Kenya Power for erecting power lines on the disputed land. The two cases will be heard on December 3 and 6.

On Tuesday, residents of Timbwani in Likoni took to the streets protesting the planned takeover. Led by religious leaders, they said one person cannot own the disputed land.

Carrying placards written “Waitiki stop terrorising our people,” the locals marched to a meeting called by the District Commission, Lawrence Kinyua.

Local people fear the eviction could easily lead to violence as the disputed land hosts churches, schools, mosques, prime businesses, including petrol stations, and police stations.

An Imam at a mosque within the contested land, Sheikh Juma Athman asked the Government to resolve the dispute to avoid chaos.

“We have worked hard to construct houses and businesses and are pleading with Lands Minister James Orengo to resolve this issue before it gets out of hand,” said Athman.

The eviction order, which has been served on the Commissioner of Police Mr Mathew Iteere, dictates that the eviction be effected on land stretching 100 metres from the Likoni ferry landing and encompassing the left side of the main Likoni-Kwale road.

Violence

Southwards, it covers swathes of Timbwani and Shika Adabu wards in Likoni Constituency.

It is feared if enforced, the order could wipe out close to 50 per cent of properties in the expansive Likoni area.

“We now leave in fear, we don’t know what will happen to our property. We feel threatened since we do not know when the bulldozers and officers would come and destroy our structures and the only resources we have,” said Omar Bampini a resident.