Residents of KwaBulo in Nyali, Mombasa County, staged a protest on Wednesday against what they term as land grabbing by some tycoons with roots in the Somali community.
Some of the public claim that the individuals involved are reportedly being aided by local police and county officials.
The residents have demanded the resignation of Mombasa County’s Lands, Urban Planning, and Housing Executive Committee Member, Mohamed Hussein, also known as “Amadoh” for his failure to address the matter.
They have also called on the county assembly to begin impeachment proceedings against Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir due to the ongoing land dispute.
The situation in KwaBulo shows the complexities of land ownership in informal settlements where legal titles might be absent or contested, leading to vulnerabilities exploited by those with resources to manipulate land transactions.
There have been historical instances where local governance, including police, have been implicated in facilitating such grabs, either through direct involvement or by turning a blind eye to illegal activities.
Ongoing clashes over land at Kwa Bulo Settlement in Mombasa. pic.twitter.com/Z3Ls46gAAV— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) November 13, 2024
This particular protest highlights not just a local grievance but taps into a broader narrative of land rights and justice in Kenya, especially concerning how marginalized communities face pressures from land speculators or developers.
The involvement of tycoons with Somali roots in this narrative could also reflect ethnic tensions or economic disparities, where community identity intersects with economic power dynamics in land disputes.
The ongoing struggle for land rights in areas like KwaBulo points to the need for clearer land policies, more transparent land administration, and effective legal mechanisms to protect residents from such encroachments.
