Yatta residents want compensation after their houses were demolished

Dozens of residents from Nzukini village in Kivingoni, Yatta have asked the government to compensate them and help them get title deeds after the October 2016 incident where armed men with machetes and axes accompanied by police officers ambushed the village, demolishing houses and stealing their property.

The affected villages of Kivingoni, Ikongeni, Mamba, Kisiiki and Mavoloni were under Ndalani Settlement scheme where some villagers have vacated their homes following the attack.

The forceful evictions happened on the night of October 15, 2016 where villagers’ houses were demolished.

According to Veronica Muendo, she heard noises and chants from outside and on waking up found men removing doors and windows from her house, forcing her to run for safety with her children.

On returning the following morning, all her valuables that included TV set,Radio,clothes among other things were  stolen after the men gained access inside the house.

Her neighbor was a woman who had been compensated by an insurance company following the death of her husband in an accident and had used all the monies to build a two bed-roomed house but has since left the place to live in the nearby Matuu shopping center.

Pastor Peter Mugo told Citizen Digital that he was called the night the demolitions took place only to find that it was being done by youths escorted by police.

Mr Mugo added that most of the evicted people have been living on the land since 1974 yet the person who evicted them had a title deed issued in 2006, a matter that raises eyebrows.

The chairperson of the evicted people, Mr Kilango, noted that Ndalani settlement scheme has over 100 acres belonging to the government.

Francis Kilango, Chairman of Evicts

Speaking to the residents, Yatta Assistant County Commissioner Mr Joseph Lenkarie said that land issues were sensitive and should not be rushed, further calling on the residents to be patient, calm and peaceful as they wait for a solution.

Residents Receive Sacks of Rice donated by Lenkarie

On threats being issued, Mr Lenkarie said that the people receiving threats through phones should report the same to CID officers for investigations and assured the residents of security.

He asked the residents to stop spreading rumors about the resurgence of the outlawed Mungiki sect as it was spreading fear among the residents, adding that the people who demolished their homes were hired goons.

Yatta MP Francis Mwangangi urged the residents to stay put in the settlement scheme, adding that the matter was being handled.

Yatta MP Francis Mwangangi

He added that the OCS Chief Inspector Gladys Wanjala who supervised the eviction, though transferred, should be investigated and should produce the people who did the demolitions.

“It defeats logic for a lady officer to supervise other ladies and children being humiliated in her face”, Mwangangi said, adding that the matter should be taken up by National Police Service as nobody was above the law.