- Residents blamed demarcation officers at Muriri offices, claiming most affected areas, including Lokichi, Kiamboo, Nkaroi, Mwanika.
- Lands officer Kamaru called for patience, saying most of the allegations are hearsay as the demarcation process is still ongoing.
The Tigania East subcounty land office is in a spot over allegations of land hiving, alteration, grabbing and subversions against genuine owners.
The Star has learnt that several complaints have been lodged at the Commission on Administrative Justice, accusing the office of irregularities, fraud and tampering with residents' land.
A letter signed on October 28, 2021 by the commission secretary Musa Bashir gave the office 21 days to respond, stating their position, steps taken or intended actions and timeframes in connection with Mercy Baiyenia’s complaint.
Baiyenia, a resident of Antuanduru location in Karama division, alleges she is the owner of plot number 13833 situated at Karama market.
She says a rectification of land boundary between her and Naftally Mwongera was conducted without her involvement.
The said letter was reference of an alleged dispute resolution between her and Mwongera on ground verification and setting up new boundaries without her involvement.
Responding to the allegations, land adjudication officer Eliab Kamaru said the matter is under investigations.
“She is supposed to wait. I am working on that letter and will give my response to the Ombudsman,” Kamaru said.
Baiyenia told ombudsman she was never invited to given any evidence nor informed of the said existence of any dispute between her and Mwongera.
She said that she has used the land since 2015 until Mwongera fenced it on the night of June 25, 2020.
The parcel number 13833 measuring 0.18 acres was altered unilaterally by land’s office and her land was fenced off by Mwongera.
Baiyenia reported the matter at Muthara police station.
“Complainant seeks to have this matter investigated and appropriate action taken against anyone who was involved in the illegal alteration of her land’s acreage and her original acreage restored with immediate effect,” the letter acknowledged by Kamaru reads.
About 300 people within Ngaremara adjudication area are at risk of losing their land to grabbers allegedly in collaboration with land’s office.
Residents blamed demarcation officers at Muriri offices, claiming most affected areas, including Lokichi, Kiamboo, Nkaroi, Mwanika, Mweronkoro and several other sections, are becoming a no-go zone.
MP Gichunge Kabeabea’s office through office manager Lawrence Mutwiri said time has come for genuine land owners to live in peace and assured action against land officers altering the demarcation process.
Deputy county commissioner Patrick Kemolo who spoke during a peace meeting at Kiamboo said police will fast track investigations and bring culprits to book.
Residents wants the MP to intervene.
Kamaru called for patience, saying most of the allegations are hearsay as the demarcation process is still ongoing.
“We have not disclosed information and they are handling the matter out of the law. They are supposed to wait for a period of 60 days for public register for inspection,” Kamaru said on phone.
(edited by Amol Awuor)