By S, KNA
Tension is building up in the disputed Mwea Settlement Scheme in Mbeere South Constituency, Embu County, following reports of attempted eviction of current dwellers by outsiders claiming ownership.
Some of the residents living in the Makima adjudication area that is part of the 44, 000 acres’ scheme have allegedly received eviction notices from some of the Ngome elders from the Mbeere Community who are claiming to be the legitimate owners.
Speaking during a crisis meeting convened by area MCA Philip Nzangi at Makima Town on Wednesday, the residents said those who are trying to dispossess them claim they are in possession of title deeds for the land.
Led by area the MCA, the residents questioned the legality of those title deeds, saying they were cancelled by the Government in 2018 during the botched subdivision that turned bloody after settlers resisted eviction leading to a clash that left one person dead and scores injured.
Nzangi said they will not take those threats lying down and any attempted eviction will attract their wrath.
“We are telling those coming to evict our people claiming they have land ownership documents to consider themselves foreigners in this land,” he stated, saying no one will cede even an inch of their land to an outsider.
Community leader, Francis Thiga, said those claiming ownership from the Ngome elders have never stepped foot in the disputed land since time immemorial and had no moral authority to claim it.
“Where have they been for all these years we have lived and developed these lands,” he asked.
He added that even by law of adverse possession, the elders have no right to claim anything since they have never occupied the disputed land.
Another resident, Elizabeth Mwongeli said they are tired of these threats and called on the government to move with speed to solve the dispute once and for all.
“We want those who are claiming to be legitimate owners to demonstrate to authorities how this land belongs to them and where they have been for all these years we have been in this land,” she asserted.
Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) talks have already commenced at the Embu Law Courts as the Government seeks to solve the dispute through dialogue and mediation.