Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya has stopped an attempt by private surveyors to demarcate a 999- acre land that accommodates five villages in Shimoni after three tycoons claimed its ownership.

 Speaking when he stormed in the area and stopped the surveyors Mvurya said that the documents presented to him over the ownership were fake.

 “The documents indicate that the land was a lease issued in 1907 which is about 114 years ago.

Which government gave them the land? Because Kenya became British colony 1920 but the lease was given in 1907,” he posed.

 Mvurya said that the county government will support locals to ensure nobody takes away the land from them.

 ‘No surveyors is allowed here at all. And I am asking those claiming ownership of this land to provide original documents,” he said,

Three claim ownership

Mvurya noted that the county government was not involved in issuing the land in question to the three people claiming ownership.

“When evidence was being given to issue this land in 2018 county government was in place and it was not consulted or involved and that is why we are saying this is total fraud that we will not allow it to happen,”Mvurya continued.

 He however urged locals to be united and ensure they do not allow anybody to hoodwink them.

 “Issues of survey are devolved and it is unfortunate that the county government is not aware,” he said.

.The land hosts Kichakamkwaju,Gunyu,Panama,Madiba,Pongwe and Makonzini villages.

 Effort by the tycoons to bring private surveyors on Monday was met with resistance as locals vowed not to allow any stranger at the place while calling President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene.

 Mwinyi Madzumba said that the land was initially leased by then Ramisi Sugar Company before it was subdivided to locals by the government after issuing allotment letters in 2005.