Since, hired goons raided former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family-owned Northlands City in Ruiru, Kiambu County, during anti-government protests, copycat raids have occurred in Nakuru, Bomet and Kilifi over the past few days, resulting in an alarming trend.
Lawyer and political commentator Steve Biko expressed concern, saying that leaders and stakeholders must come together to avoid chaos and protect the sanctity of private property in the country.
According to security officers, political incitement is behind some of the illegal encroachments. In Kilifi, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations is investigating politicians for allegedly inciting the public to invade private property.
In Bomet, a group of angry youths invaded a farm belonging to James Finlay Tea Company, illegally harvested tea leaves, and had a violent confrontation with the police. Last week, the National Land Commission gave Kericho, Bomet, and Nandi counties a lifeline in their push to resurvey the land occupied by multinational tea companies.
In Kilifi, two members of the county assembly were questioned by detectives after residents of Kadzinuni village attempted to forcefully invade and occupy 800 acres of private property.
Political activist Nicholas Wanyepe was issued a separate summons. The Bambani community, led by Mr Wanyepe, has vowed to reclaim the land, saying that it rightfully belongs to them. The General Service Unit police officers joined their regular counterparts in repulsing an attempted invasion of the land.
