Senator Andrew Omtatah Okoiti has called for a thorough investigation into the decades-long land dispute involving the Kenya Defence Forces and residents of Mariakani and Tsangatsini in Kilifi County.
The land, listed as parcel number CR 73754/26010 in Kaloleni Sub County, was earmarked for the establishment of a military barracks in the 1980s. According to the Senator for Busia, the government had pledged to relocate affected families to Magarini Constituency and provide them land and housing.
However, only a small and partial compensation was issued at the time, ranging from Ksh 500 to Ksh 2,000. The promised relocation and full compensation did not materialize, leaving families to continue living on the land for over forty years.
Senator Omtatah told the Senate that residents have faced continuous uncertainty and restrictions. He said that they have been prevented from constructing permanent homes and not allowed to bury their loved ones on the land due to the unresolved ownership matter.
He raised concern that the KDF recently issued a directive requiring the families to vacate the land without compensation or any agreed resettlement plan.
The Senator requested the Senate Standing Committee on Land, Environment and Natural Resources to investigate the legality of the acquisition process and confirm whether proper procedures were followed when the state earmarked the land for military use.
He further asked the Committee to establish why successive governments failed to fulfill the original compensation and resettlement promise and whether KDF can suspend the ultimatum until the families are fairly compensated.
Senator Omtatah emphasized that the affected households deserve dignity and protection as the dispute is addressed.
