Kilifi, KENYA: More than three thousand people living in Old Ferry land allocated for the construction of a Police station now fear eviction.
This comes after squatters who had encroached land at Pwani University were evicted and their properties destroyed a few weeks ago.
The land is estimated to be 10 acres.
Speaking during a meeting between them and area Sokoni Member of County Assembly Gilbert Peru, Constance Maitha, a resident who claims to have lived in the land since 1972 said the move to evict them is not by the police but some tycoons who want to occupy it.
She said since then she and her neighbors have been fighting hard to get a title deed for the area but in vain.
“I have lived here since 1972, and with my neighbors, we have tried all means and ways to get a title deed for this land but all have proved futile,” Constance said.
“We even wrote to Dr. Mohamed Swazuri the chairman of National Lands Commission, but in return, he replied to us through Kilifi County Lands Chief Officer Nguzo that unless the County Government allocates the police another piece of land then this land will be taken back. Our plea to the County Government is that they allocate the police another place for us to remain here,” she added.
However, MCA Peru assured them of their safety and that they will not be evicted.
He promised to hold a meeting with Kilifi North Member of parliament Owen Baya and the lands department of the Kilifi County Government to resolve the issue sooner than later.
“I want to assure you that I will take this matter with urgency and meet with my MP. Owen Baya and the County Lands department. In Kilifi, there’s vast government land which is unused. If they want to build a police station they go to the land opposite ACK church off St. Thomas primary school in Kilifi,” Peru said.
