Former Taveta MP Basil Criticos land woes deepen as locals, ‘outsiders’ eye piece of vast farm

Taita-Taveta County Governor John Mruttu addresses squatters on the disputed land. [PHOTO: RENSON MNYAMWEZI]

By RENSON MNYAMWEZI
KENYA: Former Taveta MP and assistant minister Basil Criticos is a broken man on the brink of becoming a squatter on a vast swathe of land he once owned.

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Hundreds of people have invaded the vast farm after his lease 99-year lease expired despite applying for its renewal.
Following recent invasions of his land in Taita Taveta, Mr Criticos claims he is a victim of racism and incitement by local politicians, while accusing the Government of abandoning him at his hour of need.
Lately, his vast farm has been turned into an epicentre of conflict among squatters who have been scrambling and fighting over land.
On Tuesday, violence erupted between locals and non-locals on the farm where three people were shot with arrows and admitted to Taveta district hospital.
It is alleged locals want ‘outsiders’ out of the farm to pave way for their settlement. The chairman of the area conflict resolution committee Alfred Jurua said some youth were incited to cause violence.
Land leases
He said police were earlier informed of the attack but failed to act. “A farmer had alerted police that a group of 30 armed youth was planning to attack residents but they failed to respond,” claimed Mr Njuruka.
On Wednesday, Taita Taveta County police commander Richard Bitonga warned politicians against inciting residents to invade private properties. The police boss warned anyone found inciting residents would be arrested and prosecuted.
“Squatters should not take advantage of expiring of land leases to invade private properties. They should respect the rule of law,” said Mr Bitonga.
Briefing The Standard on the security situation, the police boss said no suspect had so far been arrested in connection with the attack, which left three people seriously injured.