Widow’s family in Watamu faces eviction from prime beach land

Family of the late Kadenge Jefwa, which has lived on the land since 1972, said they possess all ownership documents.

by CHARLES MGHENYI

News15 August 2025 - 04:54

In Summary

Currently, one of the family’s two remaining houses has been demolished, with the other, where the widow resides, now under threat.
Meanwhile, construction of a perimeter wall is underway under the watch of police officers, who parked their vehicle inside the disputed property.

A 90-year-old widow’s family in Watamu, Kilifi county, is pleading for government intervention after their homes were demolished by wealthy individuals claiming ownership of a 38-acre prime beachfront property in the Jacaranda area.

The family of the late Kadenge Jefwa, which has lived on the land since 1972, said they possess all ownership documents.

However, they now face forceful eviction by the alleged tycoons, who surfaced two years ago claiming the property.

The widow, Dzendere Kadenge, said the situation has turned dangerous.

“Unknown people recently broke into my home. They brought down one of my houses on this land, and I’m now really scared for my life,” she said.

Currently, one of the family’s two remaining houses has been demolished, with the other, where the widow resides, now under threat.

Meanwhile, construction of a perimeter wall is underway under the watch of police officers, who parked their vehicle inside the disputed property.

The family said a court order halting any development until the land dispute is resolved is being ignored, with construction continuing unabated.

“We have a court order stopping any development on this land, but the tycoons are using state security to protect their activities while hiring goons to carry out demolitions at night,” the family said.

Last month, Kadenge's son, Kaingu Kazungu, was reportedly ambushed by hired goons at night, tied up, and thrown into the nearby Indian Ocean.

He miraculously survived, he said.

“I was later rescued after the fishermen found me lying unconscious at low tide,” he said.

The widow’s family has expressed frustration at both the county and national governments, questioning why authorities are allowing what they describe as an injustice against a poor, elderly woman and her children.

Kilifi county commissioner Joseph Biwott said he was unaware of the eviction and advised the family to report the matter to police.

Last month, during the opening of the new Malindi lands registry office, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and county commissioner Biwott acknowledged that land disputes remain rampant in the region.

Biwott said 70 per cent of criminal cases in the county are linked to land issues.