Posta accuses MCA of intimidation in land dispute

Illegal developments on Postal Corporation of Kenya land in Kiambu town. [Courtesy] A long-running dispute over prime land in Kiambu town has escalated, with the Postal Corporation of Kenya (PCK) accusing an MCA of alleged intimidation and unlawful interference. In a demand letter dated April 3, 2025, addressed to Kiambu Town MCA Francis Koina, Postmaster General John Tunoi, through KAN Advocates, alleged that Koina had engaged in a "consistent pattern of interference, intimidation and unlawful activities" relating to the property and operations of PCK. "It has come to our client's attention that you have engaged in a consistent pattern of interference, intimidation and unlawful activities concerning the property and its operations," the letter reads in part. The disputed parcel, measuring about 1.5 acres and registered as Kiambu/MUN Block 2/284, houses a post office and the main bus terminal in the heart of Kiambu town. The row traces back to the tenure of former Governor Ferdinand Waititu, when the county constructed a bus stop on the property. PCK now claims the land is at risk of being grabbed by private developers. On March 6, 2025, Tunoi wrote to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja seeking security during the fencing of the property. "Despite reporting this development to the OCPD and OCS Kiambu and requesting assistance, the matter remains unresolved, and encroachment persists," he wrote in a letter copied to the National Police Service Commission (NPSC), the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), and the National Land Commission (NLC). PCK has accused Koina of bailing out construction workers who were arrested for illegally occupying the land. In another letter to IG Kanja dated April 4, 2025, Tunoi sought police intervention to protect Posta staff, secure the premises, and prevent further encroachment. Specifically, the demand letter references an incident on March 29, 2025 when some people were arrested for unauthorised construction. "However, you proceeded to bail them out under the pretext of acting on behalf of Kiambu County, an act that has raised serious legal concerns," the letter said. PCK further alleged that on April 1, 2025, Koina and a group of individuals stormed the property and threatened staff, halting ongoing construction work. The corporation claims Koina is also a tenant on the property and owes substantial rental arrears. Speaking to The Standard, Koina declined to comment on the allegations. "No comment is satisfactory," he said. "I will not comment." Barely two weeks ago, police arrested dozens of workers at the site, intensifying a standoff between Kiambu County and PCK. Tunoi has repeatedly written to IG Kanja and local police commanders requesting protection for ongoing construction of a perimeter wall-efforts that he claims have been ignored. In a petition to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), PCK asked CEO Abdi Mohamud to investigate individuals allegedly behind the illegal development, despite court orders barring construction. The letter also names a county official, who reportedly appeared at Kiambu Police Station claiming he was overseeing the work. "Investigations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kiambu indicate that the officer claimed to be in charge of the illegal construction," the letter states. Following demolitions at the site, Posta claims the county again sanctioned unauthorised construction, even deploying goons to block evictions. The corporation alleges the actions violate Section 46 of the Anti-Corruption and Economic Crimes Act. PCK urged immediate legal and criminal action against county officials and asked the police to enforce existing court orders. "The management of Postal Corporation of Kenya has noted with great concern the illegal encroachment of PCK properties," Tunoi said in a public notice dated March 18, 2025. He said the matter had been reported to several institutions, including the Lands Ministry, NLC, DCI, and EACC. Joint land surveys by PCK and Kiambu County confirmed the land belongs to Posta. "We are pleased with the spirit of collaboration and professionalism demonstrated throughout this process," Tunoi wrote. Separately, a Kiambu Post Office official, Mr Njoroge, reported the matter to police under OB Number 51/17/03/2025. In 2018, a court order barred Kiambu County from interfering with Posta land in Thika. Justice L. Gacheru ordered the county to remove a bus stage erected on the property and stop charging matatu operators using it. "The action of converting the suit property to a bus terminal would indeed waste and damage the suit property," Justice Gacheru ruled. "The court finds that status quo should be maintained... as it existed before the bus stage was allowed."

Posta accuses MCA of intimidation in land dispute

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