Murkomen, Wahome Under Fire for Skipping Senate Probe into Alleged Land Grab in Two Rivers
Introduction to the Land Dispute
The Senate Lands Committee in Kenya has criticized Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for failing to appear before them to address allegations of intimidation and land grabbing at Two Rivers Crescent Estate in Ruiru, Kiambu County.
Background of the Dispute
The committee had summoned the two secretaries to respond to claims by residents that armed individuals had been deployed to harass and intimidate landowners in a long-standing ownership dispute. Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa led the criticism, stating that the absence of the secretaries undermined the seriousness of the allegations, which include violent attacks, attempted evictions, and destruction of property.
The Residents’ Plight
The affected homeowners, some of whom are retired public servants, purchased their plots from the family of the late former Director of Intelligence James Kanyotu. However, they are now facing attempts to force them off the land by an individual claiming ownership. Two Rivers Crescent Estate Residents Association chairperson Felisters Mwihia told senators that most homeowners bought their plots as early as 2008 and were issued valid title deeds after completing the required transfer process.
Allegations of Harassment and Intimidation
Mwihia alleged that the dispute escalated following James Kanyotu’s death, with Willy Kihara Kanyotu, who claims to be the deceased’s son, orchestrating repeated invasions of the estate through hired individuals. The alleged activities include violent assaults, trespass, destruction of property, removal of security installations, digging trenches, erecting fences, re-surveying plots, and altering boundaries with the intention of subdividing the land for resale.
Response from the Interior Cabinet Secretary
In his written submission, Murkomen maintained that police had not received formal reports of attempted illegal evictions from the residents. He stated that any reported criminal acts would be investigated by the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in accordance with the law. Murkomen also claimed that Willy Kihara Kanyotu is a legally recognized beneficiary of James Kanyotu’s estate and was allocated 13 plots through the confirmed grant of letters of administration.
Committee’s Directives
The committee directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that individuals without lawful ownership of land in the estate do not interfere with residents as the dispute remains before the courts. The senators also directed that the 76 homeowners currently occupying the estate should not be evicted pending resolution of the ownership dispute. The committee ordered both Wahome and Murkomen to appear before it next Thursday, saying the allegations of organized attacks by individuals and the broader land dispute require urgent explanation from the two ministries.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Senate Lands Committee’s actions demonstrate the seriousness with which they are treating the allegations of land grabbing and intimidation at Two Rivers Crescent Estate. The committee’s directives and orders for the Cabinet secretaries to appear before them highlight the need for transparency and accountability in resolving this dispute. The residents of the estate can only hope that the committee’s efforts will lead to a peaceful and just resolution to the long-standing ownership dispute. Source: WorldNewsAPI | Read original