Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has issued a stern warning to individuals involved in land fraud, particularly public officials colluding in illegal land dealings. Speaking in Kilifi during a closed-door security meeting, the CS said the government is cracking down on a syndicate of land theft collaborators, including officers from the Lands and Interior ministries as well as members of the Judiciary.
Murkomen said land fraud has become rampant, with vulnerable groups such as the elderly falling victim due to poverty and illiteracy. He decried the ongoing dispossession of legitimate landowners, which has rendered many as squatters and exacerbated insecurity across the region.
“It is no longer business as usual. Political actors, professionals, lawyers and judicial officials are under investigation. Those found culpable, especially public officers, will face the full force of the law,” warned Murkomen.
He emphasized the need for urgent resolution of land disputes, particularly in Kilifi and other coastal counties like Kwale, where competition for land has triggered tension and insecurity.
The CS is currently on the third leg of his Jukwaa la Usalama working tour of the Coast region, aimed at assessing security operations and enhancing service delivery. He said the government will work closely with the Judiciary and the National Land Commission to streamline land ownership processes, including the issuance of title deeds.
“Illegal transfer of land is an emotive issue in this region. In some cases, elders are dethroned by their own kin who then sell the land,” said Murkomen. He added that he would engage Chief Justice Martha Koome over concerns of conflicting judicial orders, which have raised questions about the conduct and integrity of some judicial officers.
Murkomen’s tour also includes consultations with local leaders, community members, and security agencies to gather feedback on public service delivery, including efforts to activate mobile ID applications in remote areas.
He was accompanied by the PS for Correctional Services Dr. Salome Beacco, as well as several Kilifi MPs including Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Gertrude Mbeyu
The CS affirmed that the government will not tolerate impunity and promised swift action against all involved in the fraudulent acquisition and transfer of land.