Squatters invade Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation land, barring development

By Joseph Masha

Kilifi, Mombasa: A parastatal is seeking the support of the county government in the eviction of squatters living on land reserved for a food processing plant.

The Industrial and Commercial Development Corporation (ICDC) says the project stalled after the families encroached on its 10-acre property in Malindi, Kilfi County.

ICDC Chairman Martin Muragu said the corporation was allocated the plot near Malindi Airport 15 years ago.

“As ICDC, we have good development plans for the invaded land that will also boost the county’s economy and we are pleading with the county governor to take up the matter and convince the squatters to vacate the land,” said Muragu.

The chairman, who talked to The Standard when he led the corporation’s directors on a field tour on Wednesday, said it was only through the support of the Kilifi county government that they can get the land back and use it for the intended project.

The team later met with the Kilifi County Secretary, Owen Baya, who represented Governor Amason Kingi when they officially made their request for help to get rid of the squatters.

Baya promised to present the concerns to the governor and see how best the problem could be tackled.

Baya said the county needs more industries, which could open up the area for jobs and add value to the local products.

He added that the county government was ready to work with development minded organisations.

Baya said the collapse of the famous Kilifi Cashew Nut Factory, where ICDC had some shares, rendered over 60,000 workers directly and indirectly linked to the factory jobless.

“When the Kilifi Cashew Nut Factory was at full operation, about 60,000 people had direct and indirect employment, including the farmers of the produce,” said Baya.

He said the collapse of the factory drastically affected the county’s economy and added that new measures would be put in place to bring back the lost glory.

According to ICDC Property Manager Paul Okwiri, development plans for the invaded land have been made and the intended development  could take off as soon as the logistical issues are addressed.

Okwiri said the county government has an obligation to help ICDC secure the land, which had been allocated to enable the corporation start long-term development projects.

He said ICDC supports entrepreneurs with finances to put up industries, which could help add value to local products, mostly those related to food, and availability of land was an important component that needs to be addressed.