KITUI, Kenya – The government has launched a nationwide crackdown on land grabbing, with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen issuing a stern warning to individuals and organizations illegally occupying public property.
Speaking during the Jukwaa La Usalama county engagement forum in Kitui, Murkomen raised alarm over the rampant encroachment on state-owned land, particularly targeting police stations, prison facilities, and other administrative units.
“There is a growing appetite for seizing government land, particularly land belonging to police and prisons,” Murkomen stated. “Public land that has been grabbed must be recovered and properly titled.”
He ordered the immediate surveying and titling of all public land and directed the eviction of unauthorized occupants, including squatters, from state-owned plots.
Murkomen emphasized that land disputes are not just a legal concern but a serious security threat, noting that a significant number of cases reported to police stations stem from unresolved land conflicts.
“If there’s something that causes insecurity, it’s land issues,” he said. “We must address this urgently in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands.”
The Cabinet Secretary revealed that many parcels of public land lack proper documentation, making them vulnerable to illegal occupation.
He vowed that the government would move swiftly to secure and document all public properties.
Murkomen also expressed concern over rising communal land conflicts, particularly in group ranches along the Coast and Lower Eastern regions, where disputes between farmers and herders have intensified.
He warned that unresolved boundary disputes between counties and constituencies are fueling inter-community tensions.
“This debate should be escalated to Parliament because it’s about resources. Kitui, for instance, has a boundary issue with Tana River, and it’s not unique,” he added.
In addition to land issues, Murkomen addressed human-wildlife conflict, citing increased encroachment into protected areas like the Mwingi Game Reserve.
JUKWAA LA USALAMA- KITUI COUNTY CHAPTERBoundary disputes between counties are a major source of friction between many communities. At the heart of most resource conflicts are poorly demarcated boundaries.In our town hall session today in Kitui County, a majority of speakers
He called for better security and collaboration between national and county governments to curb illegal activities and secure natural resources.
“We’ll work with county authorities and KWS to ensure protected areas are secured and that issues like illegal firearms and pasture conflicts are addressed,” he said.
Murkomen also commended the work of the 240 National Police Reservists currently deployed in Kitui County, praising their role in enhancing local security.
He concluded by urging public officials to maintain open communication with citizens through regular consultations and town hall forums like Jukwaa La Usalama.
“We are listening to the public to improve service delivery and resolve long-standing issues, especially those that affect peace and stability,” he said.
The Interior Ministry’s campaign is expected to intensify in the coming months, with a focus on securing state-owned land and resolving longstanding land-related disputes across the country.
