Armed youths who were guarding a Sh1.3 billion disputed land in Loresho on Tuesday locked the gates and temporarily detained Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome.
The CS had visited the prime land to assist the rightful owners access the expansive parcel along Lower Kabete Road following a court order.
However, when the CS arrived with a team from her ministry, tens of youths who were guarding the land, locked the only exit gate immediately after Wahome entered.
While the CS was already inside the expansive land, the owners- Ashok Kumar Rupshi and Hitten Kumar- found the gate locked.
Police officers were forced to chase after a suspect who was believed to be the commander of ununiformed guards, forcing him to break the padlock after failing to produce the keys.
Wahome who was accompanied by the Sub-County Security team, however, did not show any signs of panic but condemned the incident as unfortunate.
“What we have witnessed barbaric act by someone who is using goons to illegally secure this land. We have been illegally detained and those goons must be arrested," Wahome said.
The CS was accompanied by the top security team in the sub-county as well as some armed police officers.
In the process, police arrested some of the guards and confiscated weapons including arrows.
Wahome said she was at the expansive land to ensure that Ashok and Hitten take over the land following a court judgement that confirmed the duo as the rightful owners.
Former Nairobi Provincial Commissioner Davis Nathan Chelogoi had claimed the same parcel of land.
The CS said there had been concerns that some officers were frustrating Ashok and Hitten from accessing their land even after the court issued orders.
“There has been an unnecessary delay. I am here as the cabinet sectary for lands housing and physical planning to assist the owners access this and as directed by the court," Wahome said.
During the visit, the CS asked the security officers to ensure that Ashok and Hitten have access to the land and bar any interested persons from interfering with the land.
“ I want a report by tomorrow 12 pm (Wednesday) that the individuals who are illegally in this land have been evicted and those who will disobey court orders are dealt with in accordance with the law," Wahome said.
The protracted land battle dates back to 2019 with High Court case number 312 of 2009, between Ashok, Hitten and the late Jacob Juma.
