State to resolve land disputes to tame insecurity in Taita Taveta

Arnold Linga Masila-KNA

There is an urgent need for inter-ministerial coordination to address squatter conflicts, illegal evictions, and fraudulent land ownership schemes in Taita Taveta.

The Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen highlighted the chronic land problems that have continued to fuel tension, displacement, violence and insecurity in the county.

He was speaking during a high-level security forum held in Taita Taveta as part of the Jukwaa la Usalama regional tour.

The CS cited rampant squatter problems, forceful land takeovers, and criminal syndicates enforcing illegal eviction orders as key flashpoints.

He said syndicates operate with backing from powerful and hidden sponsors who exploit legal loopholes and manipulate local systems to acquire land fraudulently, often at the expense of the local population.

As such, Murkomen said the government is planning a multi-agency approach involving the Ministry of Lands and security agencies to systematically address historical land injustices and prevent future conflicts.

The CS emphasized that those found culpable of orchestrating land invasions or issuing illegal eviction notices would face prosecution.

 “We must act against criminal networks who hide behind court orders or fake documents to evict citizens. The Ministry of Lands will play its role, but as the Interior docket, our responsibility is to ensure these conflicts do not escalate into violence,” he said. 

The dire situation in Taita Taveta had been highlighted by the Senate Committee on Lands, Environment, and Natural Resources, which visited the county a day before the CS’s forum.

Led by committee chairperson Mohamed Faki, the Senators were on a fact-finding mission following a petition by residents of the Mwananchi Settlement Scheme in Mwatate.

The residents, who were allocated land by the government and issued with title deeds, are leaving with fear of eviction after a court ruling last year that favored a private investor claiming ownership of the same land.

Faki expressed concern over the rising tension and fear among the affected families, warning that the ongoing legal battles and threats of eviction could easily trigger violence.

However, the Ministry of Lands was blamed for its habitual issuance of title deeds without due diligence, a practice that has led to widespread confusion, double allocations, and land-related insecurity.

Taita Taveta Senator Jones Mwaruma, who led the Senate committee in different parts of the county affected by land disputes, echoed the concerns, urging the national government to ensure that once land is allocated and titles are issued, beneficiaries should be protected from future claims and harassment.

Beyond land issues, competition over natural resources like water and pasture, especially between farmers and pastoralists were highlighted as contributors to insecurity in the region.

Disputes around mining operations, misuse of prospecting licenses, and illegal mining were highlighted as additional triggers of community conflict particularly in Taita Taveta where mining is a major economic activity.