Row over Mukunike land thickens

Thika,

Friday, September 8, 2023

KNA by Muoki Charles

Residents of Mukunike area, Thika East Sub County are living in fear after hired goons stormed and demolished their houses as controversy over ownership of the settlement took another twist.

Led by their chairman Paul Kimanyi, they said a private developer allegedly hired goons to bring down their structures while threatening them to leave the disputed land or face dire consequences.

 “Already, a few houses have been demolished by unknown people who claim ownership of the land with residents claiming it has been done despite a court order restricting new owners from settling in the land” he confirmed.

 The land has been at the centre of a court case in which the residents claimed its subdivision was unfair and favored tycoons and was seeking a fresh reallocation process arguing that the exercise was unfair as a better chunk of the parcel was awarded to tycoons.Other residents, Dominic Mutiso and Teresia Wanjiku said they have been living in fear of threats by the armed goons if they fail to allow the private developers to settle in the area.

They said despite reporting the matter to the local administration, no action has been taken to arrest the criminals.

They now want the government to transfer all police officers who have served in the area for more than three years claiming that they have been colluding with the tycoons to take up their pieces of land.

Thika East Deputy County Commissioner Hellen Chege in the company of Sub-county police commander Andrew Zora said police have heightened patrols in the area and warned any criminal terrorizing residents that action will be taken against them.

 She added that they have stopped private developers from taking up construction works in the area until the matter is fully heard and determined by the court.

The DCC further called on the warring groups to maintain law and order saying any manner of hooliganism will not be tolerated.

Courtesy; KNA