Khamala: I was ready to give my posh home to police

Lurambi MP Bishop Titus Khamala has expressed his willingness to vacate his luxurious five-bedroom residence in Milimani Estate for police officers living in substandard housing conditions rather than seeing it demolished.

He said he had entrusted the situation to God.

This declaration follows Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa's announcement that the county intends to seek legal intervention from the national government to halt the demolitions and pursue compensation for affected individuals.

The government had issued a directive to dismantle structures on prime land, contending that it was government-owned and earmarked to construct affordable housing, reclaiming it from alleged land grabbers.

'Man of God'

In an interview with The Nairobian, Bishop Khamala, emphasising his role as a man of God, acknowledged that all material possessions and wealth acquired on earth would be left behind on the last day of a person's life, regardless of earthly stature.

He shared, "I had a beautiful house I built some 25 years ago with my own hands and money, but as a Bishop, I understand no man will go to heaven with what he acquired on earth, be it billions, posh houses, or uncountable wealth; only a soul that has done what God wants will see heaven."

Khamala questioned the rationale behind the demolition of well-constructed houses, especially when police officers themselves live in inadequate conditions.

"I have been working harmoniously with our local administrators and police officers, but I was shocked to see bulldozers and two roadblocks being erected in my home to destroy my house. Yet, my wife and I are not harmful individuals that we would attract dozens of police officers and roadblocks," said Khamala.

Khamala expressed his readiness to offer the house to the police for residence, highlighting its amenities such as electricity, water, and other essential facilities rather than seeing it demolished.

"It is sad to see my house going down with everything. I would have just left that house to the police officers to live in – a house with everything. Imagine, my house was brought down with everything in it. If it is the land they wanted or the house, I would have given it to them," said Khamala.

"I don’t see the essence of going to court to seek compensation or fight anyone when we will be given new souls, bodies, and a new life in heaven. I leave everything to God, even if my wife and I are still on the street without a house, as we plan to build another house in our ancestral land in a village away from town."

Khamala clarified that he had followed due process in purchasing the piece of land in 2001 for Sh600,000. He expressed surprise at seeing his house being demolished in the middle of the night.

“I paid Sh600,000 some 22 years back to purchase the land to build that house. I never grabbed it because I followed due process. I have a title deed, white card, and green card showing I am the rightful owner of that land. How am I now on government land? Didn't we have governments before?” said Khamala.

Unlawfully

Khamala said he had never acquired the land unlawfully. He questioned the timing of the demolition, wondering why the issue was arising now when he had been a lawful owner for over two decades.

“I would never buy a house in any town despite following due process in purchasing the land.

“I have decided to relocate to my rural home in Eshisiru village, where I plan to build another house after I move out of town. I have decided never to buy anything in town because it is painful to buy something genuine, following due process, only to see it demolished. Let me live where I was born,” said Khamala.

Khamala's house was among those owned by tycoon and businessman Jaswant Singh Rai and two high court judges that were demolished.

Last week, Azimio leader Raila Odinga visited the site where Bishop Khamala’s house was demolished and criticised the government for using regional commissioners to return Kenya to dark days where they were employed to frustrate people.

Western Regional Commissioner Irungu Macharia has maintained that they are not up to something sinister other than repossessing government land for various projects.