Residents oppose sale of 'community land' in Magarini

Residents in Magarini constituency on Saturday demonstrated peacefully against alleged massive sale of community land by few  individuals without involving the community.

The Kilifi residents of Hawewanj in Chakama location accused some local leaders of being behind a recent scheme to sell 400 acres to developers at throw-away prices without involving the community.

Protesters were from the Giriama, Watta and Orma communities

They said they were angered to see a grader clearing land they said belongs to them.

The protesters, who were carrying twigs and singing songs of justice, marched on the land and pledged never to let a developer set food on the property that belongs to the community, not individuals.

Village elder Mwambegu Karisa Kahindi of Hawe Wanje Phase I said land grabbing is not new. He said previously a leader claimed a project was underway, leading to the grabbing of more than 7,200 acres in Kisiki  occupied by more than 2,000 residents.

He said all the residents turned out to be squatters and others will be evicted before the end of this year despite their investment in the land.

Kahindi said normally the "tycoons" seek approval from him, asking  whether the land is legal and then allow crooks to sell.

"I ganged up with the community and ensured the tycoon is off the site until the dispute is resolved and we do not expect him back again,'' he said.

Kahind appealed to the government to ensure the land is surveyed and subdivided so the community gets land ownership documents to safeguard it.

"We urge the government to hear our plight and ensure all the tycoons who grabbed land surrender the titles and the land is subdivided among the people," he said.

Village elder Yakub Hussein from Myeye said the trend of selling community land is wrong because soon residents  will not have a place to live.

He said there already are problems with the local administrator who is denying residents identity cards, making it difficult or impossible to be allocated land.

Kaingu Nyale, an elderly man, said he was shocked to hear 400 acres  were sold by five individuals. He said he has lived there since he was born in 1940.

He said they have been coexisting peacefully since 2000 and called on the government to ensure it surveys the land and subdivides it among them.

"If there was a title deed here for the community, it would be difficult for people to grab land. Let the government come, survey and allocate the land to the community.

Area chief Macdonald Mwaringa dismissed claims  local leaders were behind a scheme to help a few people sell community land.

He said those five people who sold 400 acres did so in their parcels of land. He said the area originally was for the Giriama  and Watta.

Mwaringa dismissed claims his office helped some people to sell land. 

''Those who sold, it is their land, but you know in Chakama location there are Ormas who came and we welcomed them because it was during drought and they wanted an area, even if it was to lease," he said.

At first, he said, they agreed with the Mtolani group ranch that they would lease for Sh100,000 per year but paid Sh40,000.

In the second year, he said, out of the Sh100,000 they were assisted by Somalis with cattle who paid Sh70,000 to the ranch.

He said they later requested to be allowed to stay there for free as their cattle were for their own survival and bringing up their families. They have been there ever since.

Mwaringa said the land belongs to the Chakama community,  not for the Orma who were welcomed by the community.

The residents said they're ready to go to court if necessary to get justice.

(Edited by V. Graham)