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Tension has gripped a farm in the Utange area in Mombasa following eviction of more than 300 families who claim to be the rightful owners of a disputed nine-acre land.

Affected families alleged police and groups of youth armed with bows and arrows raided their homes on Friday and demolished their houses before razing them down.

For the better part of the weekend the area was turned into a chaotic scene as the squatters engaged police and hired goons in running battles.

According to Sheria Na Haki Human Rights Institute, which has been monitoring the conflict, the private developer claiming ownership of the land had obtained fake documents to kick out the residents.

The lobby group’s Executive Director John Akaran (pictured) said they were preparing to move to court to protect Utange residents.

“This has been the norm in this part of the country. You will find people cropping up from nowhere and claiming ownership of the land on which residents have occupied for more than a generation. These cases have been fueled by corrupt officers in the Lands and the National Police Service who aid these rogue tycoons in trampling on the rights of innocent civilians,” Akaran said in an interview with People Daily.

He appealed to the government, through the Ministry of Lands, to crack down on cartels of fake title deeds.

Bows and arrows

Omar Mohamed, a resident, said they had lived peacefully in the area for three decades but problems started two weeks ago when reports emerged that a tycoon had claimed ownership of the land.

“Yesterday he came knocking and ordered us out… immediately they started demolishing our houses. They have destroyed everything including school uniforms and food. They have also burnt down our houses and we don’t know where we will go now,” Mohamed said.

After the police left, he said, a group of youth armed with bows and arrows arrived and surrounded the farm.

“They have brought a group of youths and they are armed with bows and arrows. Three of my brothers have been wounded and they have been hospitalised,” noted Mohamed.

Mercy Masha said she has lived in the area with her family for decades and the eviction had no basis.