Residents, former PS lock horns over land

By Renson Mnyamwezi

Taita/Taveta County

A row is brewing between Wundanyi residents and a former PS over a plot alleged to have been irregularly allocated.

Residents took to the streets to demand the plot be repossessed from former PS Eliakim Masale.

Led by former Wundanyi MP Mwandawiro Mghanga and Councillor Ginton Mwachofi, the residents stormed the Taita DC’s and the Taita-Taveta County Council offices, demanding the plot be reverted to the community.

They told acting DC Paul Rotich and the County Council chairman Laban Tolle that the plot was located in a catchment and that its development would interfere with the environment.

"The plot was hived off from an indigenous forest which is one of the water towers in the area. If the Government allows its development, then this will adversely affect the environment and water supply," said Mwachofi, on Tuesday.

The residents vowed not to allow development in the disputed plot behind the Taita-Taveta County Council offices.

Mghanga claimed some individuals who were illegally allocated plots had started developing them for fear that they could be repossessed under the new Constitution.

Water catchment

"The plot was illegally acquired and should be reverted to the people as it is situated on a water catchment area," said the former legislator.

But Mr Masale said he had legally acquired the plot and asked the residents to stop interfering with private property. Speaking to The Standard on the telephone, Masale said he was allocated the plot 16 years ago after which he planted trees on it.

"The demonstration is politically motivated and is aimed at portraying me as a land grabber which I’m not. I do not know why they are targeting me," said Masale.

He said Kenya Forest Service officials gave him a permit to cut down trees on the disputed plot. Mr Rotich said the plot belonged to Masale and that if anybody felt aggrieved, they should seek legal redress.