• MPs raise concern recovery process has taken too long, exposing agency to possible losses.
• MD Daniel Manduku says they are doing all they can, with National Land Commission, to recover parcels.
Image: FILE
Kenya Ports Authority has been exposed as failing to recover land valued at Sh483 million, most of which is occupied by squatters.
The consolidated parcels are in Mombasa, Malindi, and Kilifi while another, which is at the gates to the port has been claimed by an investor seeking to set up a processing zone.
KPA bosses led by managing director Daniel Manduku say they are doing all they can, together with the National Land Commission, to recover the parcels.
However, MPs raised concern the recovery process has taken too long, exposing the agency to possible losses.
One such plot is a Sh233 million property at Takaungu in Kilifi which was bought in 1993 but is currently occupied by squatters.
Manduku said KPA attempted to secure the land by putting up a fence but it was vandalised, frustrating the effort.
“We have instructed a lawyer to institute a civil suit to evict the squatters,” Manduku told the Abdulswamad Nassir-led committee yesterday.
Also of core concern is a Sh90.7 million property where squatters have put up permanent buildings. The land was held on leas for 99 years since 1993.
“We plan to dispose the parcel after evicting the squatters,” Manduku said. There is also a plan to dispose a Sh18.2 million plot occupied by squatters at Kibarani, Mombasa.
Another parcel is a Sh66 million plot located in Malindi, which was acquired in 1994 and has been considered in the plan to expand the region’s airport.
The KPA board in 2014 resolved that the land be surrendered to the national government through NLC to settle squatters, subject to due process.
“This has not progressed due to policy concerns. A law firm was instructed to evict the squatters. However, with the Malindi airport expansion plan, KPA has notified KAA of its claim to the encroached parcel.”
MPs also raised questions on why KPA has failed to recover a Sh25 million plot located at Likoni, which is currently being used as a football pitch by residents.
“The management plans to either offer the plot to Kenya Navy or sell it as per the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act,” Manduku said.
He said a Sh26.7 million property, also in Likoni and partly occupied by squatters, will be developed into a playing ground for the community as part of port' corporate social responsibility.
The committee was informed that preparation of bills of quantities is underway to enable tendering for the venture.
A parcel of land at Mtongwe valued at Sh21.6 million has been occupied by a youth group as a fish landing site and for farming.
The plot was leased out to a firm identified as Midland Energy which was tasked to remove the group but has equally gone mum on the matter.
KPA told MPs it intends to work with the county government on the future use of the plot which is also a passageway to the Mtongwe ferry channel.
The committee sought answers on why it has taken KPA long to recover the assets having initiated the process three years ago.
Also cited was the question of whether the assets have been valued lately, an issue which KPA said will be dealt with in the next valuation – done every five years.