Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in land fraud, particularly public officers colluding in land theft across the Coast region.
Speaking in Kilifi after a closed-door security meeting, Murkomen said the government is cracking down on corrupt officials in the Ministries of Lands and Interior, as well as rogue elements within the Judiciary, who have enabled the illegal acquisition and transfer of land.“It will no longer be business as usual,” said the CS. “Those found culpable, including political actors, lawyers, and judicial officers, will face the full force of the law.”He lamented the widespread exploitation of the elderly, who are often stripped of their land due to poverty and illiteracy. “This has led to a growing squatter crisis and increased insecurity,” he added.
Murkomen emphasized that land disputes have become a major security concern in Kilifi and other coastal counties like Kwale. He pledged to work closely with the Judiciary and the National Land Commission to resolve title deed issues and end land invasions.“We will engage Chief Justice Martha Koome to address the issue of conflicting court orders and questionable conduct by some judicial officers,” he said, adding that the matter may be escalated to the Commission on Administrative Justice.
The CS is on a six-day working tour of the Coast region under the Jukwaa la Usalama initiative, aimed at assessing service delivery and security.He is also collecting feedback from local leaders and residents on the rollout of government services, including mobile ID registration.
Murkomen was accompanied by Principal Secretary for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Beacco, Kilifi MPs Owen Baya, Gertrude Mbeyu, Amina Mnyazi, Paul Katana, Richard Chonga, and Anthony Kenga. Also present were Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha, Coast Regional Police Commander Ali Nuno, Kilifi County Commissioner Josphat Biwott, and several MCAs and county officials.
The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting land rights and restoring justice to affected communities.
