Tension high as residents of contested Mwea Land Scheme say no to eviction

Tension remains high in Embu’s Makima village over the contested allocation of title deeds in the controversial Mwea Land Scheme.

The residents have vowed to resist any attempts to evict them from the land saying that it rightfully belongs to them.

Speaking at Mwanzo Market in Mbeere South, a section of residents said any attempts to oust them from their land will be resisted by all means.

They said most of the beneficiaries of the 48,000 acre piece of land have been drawn from Embu and Mbeere North regions while bonafide owners stare at a possible eviction.

“I have been living in the scheme since 1989 but I am not in the list of beneficiaries, I wonder why they did not consult us before making this decision, it may lead to conflict and it will not be a good picture,” Paul Ngahu, a resident, said.

The residents said it is unfair that several social amenities and development projects will now be demolished to give room for new land owners.

The issuance of over 7,000 title deeds has been ongoing for a week now at Siakago Market, Mbeere North Sub County but residents have read mischief questioning why the process was taken to another Sub-County.

“Most of those who have been given title deeds don’t even  know where their land is, some think it is uninhabited but they should not expect us to move out of our land for strangers even if they have the title deeds. Where will I take my children if they evict us?,” poised Anne Muthee, a 42-year-old mother of seven.

Makima Member of the County Assembly (MCA), PeninahMutua, and area Member of Parliament, MutavaMusyimi, opposed the issuance of title deeds saying residents who have stayed in the area for long are being overlooked.

“The National Government should  revoke all titles that have already been issued, stop the process and restart an all-inclusive land demarcation process,” said Mutava.

However, the National Land Commission chairman, Mohamed Swazuri, said demarcation of the land and the issuance of the title deeds were above board and only the beneficiaries of the land will be given title deeds.

Written by Chebet Birir