By Alloys Musyoka
Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani has cautioned residents against the irregular sale of land to private developers, a practice that has contributed to the growing number of squatters in the county.
Her remarks come amid reports that some residents in Kinango and Lunga Lunga sub-counties have been selling communal land to private developers, leaving thousands of local residents without land ownership.
The Kwale County Government has successfully repossessed 31 acres of land on Chale Island in Msambweni Sub-County, land on Kisite Mpunguti Island in Lunga Lunga Sub-County, and a 13-acre parcel valued at KSh 200 million in Diani Beach, Msambweni Sub-County.
Speaking to residents of Nzephu in Ndavaya Ward, Kinango Sub-County, Governor Achani called on locals to support her administration’s efforts to end widespread land grabbing by private developers, which has left many residents economically disadvantaged.
“My administration has halted the illegal acquisition of community land, including the 32,000-hectare Kuranze Ranch in Kinango Sub-County and the 63,900-hectare Lunga Lunga Ranch. I also stopped the illegal sale of the 18-acre historic Kongo Mosque land from the hands of grabbers. These efforts will only bear fruit if we work together as a county,” said Achani.
The Governor further stated that her administration will work closely with the National Government to address historical land injustices in Kwale, in line with President William Ruto’s agenda of acquiring idle land from absentee landlords along the Coast, subdividing it, and issuing title deeds to local residents.
“We have already held discussions with President William Ruto on the issue of absentee landlords in the county. The National Government is in the process of acquiring Kaslack land in Diani, subdividing it, and issuing title deeds to the affected squatters,” Achani said.
Residents, led by Ole Sambei, welcomed the Governor’s assurance and expressed optimism that the ongoing efforts to resolve land ownership challenges and issue title deeds would provide lasting solutions to a problem that has affected many families for decades.
The Governor was accompanied by Deputy Governor Chirema Kombo, County Executive Committee Member for Lands Saumu Mahaja, PSA Karua Tsiwezi, Water Department PSA Hemed Mwabudzo, SSM Francisca Kilonzo, Chief Officer for Environment Neema Suya, and other county officials.
END
