Mombasa squatters shock after NLC chair reveals Utange land owner

Mombasa County executive member in charge of Lands, Francis Thoya [right] addresses Kaya elders and squatters at Lamkane, Bamburi in Mombasa. 50 squatters have been arrested in 135 acres of land which is under dispute. [PHOTO: OMONDI ONYANGO/STANDARD]

MOMBASA: National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Muhammad Swazuri Tuesday announced the disputed 135-acre in Utange legally belongs to Jonathan Kagiri and its lease will expire in 2066.

Thousands of squatters, who have been occupying the land and were expecting to be settled there, were astounded to learn that Kagiri’s lease was initially for 999 years and was to expire in 2966. This changed following the 2010 constitutional move that reduced all leases to 99 years.