The land tussle between the family of the late former Commissioner of Prisons Reuben Nzioka Mutua and squatters who allegedly occupied the 800-acre land at Kinyoo Village, Emali Makueni County has continued for a while now.
In an interview with the media, Dr. Peter Mutua, son of the former prison’s boss said his father died before acquiring the title deed for the land. 37 years down the line, Peter discloses how they have effortlessly been seeking justice to secure the vast farm.
Upon the death of Mutua, his mother took over the process of acquiring the title deed.
Sadly, she died in 2002 before completing the process. During this time, the family’s elder son was in charge of the farm. He leased it to residents of Kongo village. One year later, they issued an eviction notice to them. The residents moved to court, claiming that the family was not the real owner of the farm. However, the court dismissed the claims citing a lack of proof.
At one point in 2007, Dr. Peter’s brother in collaboration with the people from Kongo village demolished the family’s home. After this incident, he fled to Nakuru until his demise in 2010. When Peter returned from U.S., he took over the farm.
“When I returned from the U.S in 2011, I took over the property and started visiting the farm regularly, getting rid of people who tried to put up structures on it”, he explained.
Things became worse in 2019 and 2020 when the people became violent after the family tried putting beacons on the property.
In May 2020, Mutua moved the matter to the court after his efforts to seek intervention from local and national authorities such as IPOA, EACC, and National Land Commission became futile.
On Tuesday, June 6, a ruling was expected to be delivered but the case was adjourned to June 14. Justice Teresia Murugi from Environment and Land Court Makueni has been presiding over the case.
The late Reuben Mutua was awarded an offer to buy the farm by then President Arap Moi due to his heroic reforms and contributions in prisons. Missed Reuben’s story? check it out below;
