Senators Fault Wahome, Murkomen

Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen are set to appear before the Senate Lands Committee next week after their absence from a session examining alleged intimidation and attempted land grabbing at Two Rivers Crescent Estate in Ruiru, Kiambu County drew sharp criticism from lawmakers.

The committee had summoned the two Cabinet Secretaries to respond to complaints from residents who claim armed goons have been deployed to harass homeowners and interfere with land ownership in the estate, where a long-running dispute remains before the courts.

Kiambu Senator Karungo Thangwa led the criticism, arguing that the failure by the two Cabinet Secretaries to attend the hearing weakened efforts to address allegations involving violent attacks, attempted evictions and destruction of property.

“It is unfortunate that residents who legally acquired their land are now living in fear after being targeted by individuals acting on behalf of an untouchable person. That is why we wanted the Cabinet Secretaries for Lands and Interior to appear before this committee,” Thangwa said.

Thangwa told senators that several affected homeowners, including retired public servants, legally purchased their plots from the family of the late former Director of Intelligence James Kanyotu but are now facing attempts to force them off the land by an individual claiming ownership.

The senator also questioned why Wahome neither attended the session nor submitted a written response, saying her previous role as an advocate for one of the interested parties could raise concerns over a possible conflict of interest.

Residents Detail Years of Alleged Harassment

Committee Chairperson Mohammed Faki informed senators that Wahome had sought to be excused because she was attending a Cabinet sub-committee meeting chaired by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Murkomen, he said, was attending a National Security Council meeting but submitted written responses to the committee.

Residents who appeared before the committee described years of alleged intimidation linked to the ownership dispute.

Two Rivers Crescent Estate Residents Association Chairperson Felisters Mwihia told senators that most homeowners purchased their plots in 2008 and were issued with valid title deeds after completing the required transfer process.

“Most homeowners bought their plots as early as 2008 and were issued with valid title deeds after completing the required transfer process,” Mwihia told the committee.

Mwihia alleged that the dispute intensified following the death of James Kanyotu, accusing Willy Kihara Kanyotu, who claims to be the deceased’s son, of orchestrating repeated invasions of the estate through hired goons.

She claimed the alleged incidents have included violent assaults, trespassing, destruction of property, removal of security installations, digging trenches, erecting fences, re-surveying plots and altering boundaries with the intention of subdividing the land for resale.

Residents also accused police at Ruiru Police Station of failing to enforce court orders obtained to stop the alleged activities despite repeated complaints.

Committee Orders Protection for Homeowners

Murkomen, in his written submission, maintained that police had not received formal reports from residents regarding attempted illegal evictions. He said any criminal offences, including forcible evictions or violence, would be investigated by the National Police Service and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in accordance with the law.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary further stated that Willy Kihara Kanyotu is a legally recognised beneficiary of James Kanyotu’s estate under High Court Succession Cause No. 1239 of 2008 and was allocated 13 plots through a confirmed grant of letters of administration.

Murkomen added that Kihara also claims ownership of several additional plots, arguing they were either gifted to him by the late James Kanyotu or that previous transfers were allegedly fraudulent and contrary to succession court orders.

Following the hearing, the Senate committee directed the Inspector General of Police to ensure that individuals without lawful ownership of land in the estate do not interfere with residents while the matter remains before the courts.

Lawmakers also ordered that the 76 homeowners currently occupying the estate should not be evicted until the ownership dispute is determined.

The committee directed both Wahome and Murkomen to appear before it next Thursday, saying the allegations surrounding organised attacks by suspected goons and the broader land dispute require direct answers from the two ministries.