We will not buy disputed land from Waitiki, squatters tell State

Muslims leaders led by Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) Treasurer Suleiman Hassan show reporters the story by ‘The Standard’ on the Waitiki land in Mombasa yesterday. [PHOTO: KELVIN KARANI/STANDARD]

Fierce criticism yesterday greeted the Government's announcement that it would not help squatters buy the disputed Waitiki land in Mombasa as it had earlier pledged.

Muslim clerics, political leaders and settlers yesterday termed the announcement by Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu reckless, adding that it could ignite chaos.

The settlers, through their chairman Salim Mohamed, also vowed not to pay for or vacate the land, insisting it was their ancestral property.

Yesterday, it also emerged that the land owner, Evanson Waitiki, has been demanding billions of shillings to surrender the 930-acre plot.

"It appears that the minister does not understand how emotive the issue of land is in this region. Such reckless statements could cause chaos in the region given that the squatters were promised the Government would buy the land and settle them," said Sheikh Mohamed Khalifa, the Council of Imams and Preachers of Kenya (CIPK) organising secretary.

Tribal clashes

Sheikh Khalifa, who was flanked by CIPK Treasurer Sheikh Suleiman Hassan, claimed the organisation met with President Uhuru Kenyatta where it was agreed that the State would purchase the land and settle the squatters.

The clerics, who were speaking in their office in Mombasa yesterday, said the squatters were only to pay for the cost of surveying and the title deeds fees.

Mombasa Woman Representative Mishi Mboko faulted the decision, saying the land owner could not make any demands on the land because "even how he acquired the huge chunk of land was questionable".

Mr Waitiki has previously said he acquired the land from a departing settler in 1975 before it was invaded by thousands of squatters during the 1997 pre-election tribal clashes.

But the squatters claim the land belonged to their ancestors and recent surveys indicate there are over 8,000 houses. There are also schools, mosques, churches and a police station on the land.

"It is a shock to us because we have not been involved in the said talks. All the agreements we have signed say the State will buy the land for us. We also signed an agreement with a non-government organisation called Kisipa that promised the World Bank would help us pay for the land," said the group's chairman.

Ms Mboko said Mombasa County political leaders were not involved in the said negotiations during which it was reportedly agreed that the settlers would buy the land from the owner.

"We have had meetings with the President and even Ngilu who have given assurances that the Government will purchase the land because, if anything, the land was idle before squatters invaded. We are asking President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene in the matter," said Ms Mboko yesterday.

Ngilu made the announcement on Monday, shattering the hopes of the 120,000 settlers that the Government would help them acquire the land.

The Lands CS, who spoke during a land reforms workshop in Mombasa, said the decision to compel the squatters to pay for the land was meant to end the culture of impunity.

Court orders

The announcement is the latest twist in the tussle pitting the land owner and squatters who have occupied it since 1997.

Several eviction orders by different courts in favour of Waitiki have not been enforced since the first occupations in 1997, with the issue turning into a perennial campaign tool for both local politicians and successive governments.

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