Munyeti Farm residents fear eviction after Portland demolitions

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Residents of Munyeti Farm in Athi-River Mavoko Sub County argue with police during a confrontation over a prime peae of land on 11th November 2023. [Peterson Githaiga, Standard]

Even after the recent East African Portland cement land demolitions came to an end, land conflicts at the Mavoko sub-county, are far from over.

Machakos and Mavoko lands and environment courts are piled with hundreds of land cases that are yet to be settled.

Reports of land invasion by intruders, and issues of land grabbing are the order of the day at the Athi River police station.

The recent incident was at Munyeti Farm, where residents are crying foul over alleged rogue land grabbers out to disinherit them through threats and forceful eviction.

Dejected locals residing at the farm village are now living in fear after an unknown developer commenced fencing the area measuring 2,100 acres.

According to locals, rogue grabbers are taking advantage of the recent East Africa Portland Cement land demolitions to kick locals out of their communal land.

''After what happened at the East African Portland cement land, we are now living in fear. This morning we spotted excavator digging trenches in preparation to put up a perimeter wall around the said village, two men of Indian origin were also present, we are not aware whats happening''said Cyrus Makau a resident.

The residents decry verbal eviction notices by unknown people who threaten that their homes will be flattened. Men in the area said that they keep night vigils to protect their land.

''We are forced to remain awake all the time keeping night vigil,we fear being evicted from our land that we own for many years'' said Mary Muoki.

Armed with copies of court orders the devastated locals said the heavy police officers presence has also instilled fear among residents.

On Thursday evening, youths protested a move by an unknown person to forcefully evict them.

The court order from the Mavoko lands and environment court had issued conservatory orders on the said land that status quo remain until the pending dispute is resolved.

Instead residents now appeal to concerned government agencies to intervene to ensure court orders are honored to the latter.

They also appeal to the director of criminal investigations (DCI) officers to launch speedy investigations on land grabbing cartels eying communal land.

''We are appealing to the government to intervene since we are not ready to vacate from this piece of land," said Jackson Kavisu.

Athi-River sub county police commander Joseph Mudavadi while responding on the alleged allegations appealed to the agitated parties to file a report with the police.

Speaking to the Saturday Standard on phone the police commander reassured the locals that security will be enhanced in the area.

He said the security team is working closely with the ministry of lands and judiciary to resolve the rampant land conflicts in the area.