KILIFI, Kenya – Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has vowed to hold public officers and judicial officials accountable for their involvement in the rampant land theft schemes plaguing Kenya’s coastal regions.
Speaking during his ongoing security tour of the Coast, Murkomen warned that those implicated in the illegal acquisition of prime land would face severe legal consequences.
Addressing the press after a closed-door security meeting in Kilifi, Murkomen condemned the alarming rate of land theft, which he said has been facilitated by the collusion of officials from the Ministry of Lands, the Ministry of Interior, and members of the Judiciary.
This collaboration, he emphasized, has led to the dispossession of landowners, the rise of squatter settlements, and an increase in local insecurity.
“It will no longer be business as usual for those involved in these criminal activities,” Murkomen declared. “Those who steal land and exploit vulnerable citizens for personal gain will face the full force of the law.”
The CS expressed particular concern over the exploitation of the elderly, who, due to high levels of poverty and illiteracy, are increasingly falling victim to land grabbers.
He noted that land disputes have become a critical issue in Kilifi and surrounding counties like Kwale, where such crimes have exacerbated the social and economic challenges facing communities.
“This is not just a land issue; it is a security threat. People are being dispossessed of their land, which has led to resource competition and increasing tensions within communities,” Murkomen said.
In response to these concerns, Murkomen outlined plans to engage the Judiciary and the National Land Commission to address the issue of illegal land transfers, particularly focusing on expediting the issuance of legitimate title deeds to reduce land invasions.
He also pointed to the need for greater scrutiny of judicial conduct, as some judicial officials have issued conflicting orders that undermine public trust in the system.
“I will escalate this issue. I will consult with Chief Justice Martha Koome regarding the actions of some judicial officers. There is a need for a transparent process to address these irregularities, and I will push for it to be discussed at the Commission on Administrative Justice,” Murkomen promised.
The CS’s visit to the Coast region is part of a broader six-day tour aimed at assessing security, service delivery, and the activation of mobile ID applications.
He is also meeting with local leaders and security officers to gather feedback on the effectiveness of government services.
Murkomen’s remarks were supported by a number of regional leaders, including Kilifi North MP and National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, Kilifi Woman Rep Gertrude Mbeyu, and several county officials, who expressed concern over the growing issue of land theft in their constituencies.
