Murkomen Decries Rampant Land Grabbing by Public Officials
Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has raised concern over the widespread theft of prime land facilitated through collusion among public officials from the Ministries of Lands, Interior, and the Judiciary.
Speaking in Kilifi after a closed-door security meeting, Murkomen warned those involved that their days are numbered. He said investigations are underway and those found culpable will face the full force of the law.
“It will no longer be business as usual for individuals who have dispossessed citizens of land, rendering many squatters and escalating insecurity,” said the CS.
He revealed that political actors, professionals, lawyers, and judicial officials are under investigation, especially those in public service within the Lands and security sectors.
Murkomen noted that vulnerable elderly citizens are being exploited due to poverty and illiteracy, with the illegal transfer of land becoming increasingly common in Kilifi and other coastal counties like Kwale.
“This squatter crisis and competition for land have created a volatile situation. We will work with the Judiciary and the National Land Commission to fast-track issuance of title deeds and curb land invasions,” he said.
The CS also expressed concern over judicial officers issuing conflicting court orders, saying it casts doubt on their integrity. He promised to raise the matter with Chief Justice Martha Koome and the Commission on Administrative Justice.
The CS is on a six-day working tour of the Coast region, dubbed Jukwaa la Usalama, aimed at assessing security and service delivery. He is also holding consultative meetings with local leaders and security officials, and overseeing the activation of mobile ID registration services.
Murkomen was accompanied by PS for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Beacco and several leaders including MPs Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Gertrude Mbeyu (Woman Rep), Amina Mnyazi (Malindi), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Richard Chonga (Kilifi South), and Anthony Kenga (Rabai), among others.
Also present were Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno, Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott, MCAs, and county officials.
