The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The aftermath of demolitions and evictions in Msambweni Village, Voi constituency, Taita Taveta County, witnessed enraged residents expressing anger towards local leaders who convened a meeting to address the crisis. Over 3,000 families were rendered homeless due to the demolitions.
A gathering, led by Taita Taveta Senator Jones Mwaruma, Voi MP Abdi Chome, and the area MCA, was abruptly terminated as irate residents refused to be addressed by the present politicians. Affected residents spent Sunday salvaging what remained after the demolitions, with some dismantling their structures despite the Inspector General of Police issuing a directive to halt the demolitions.
“I don’t know where to go; I have no shelter. Yesterday, my child went missing, hasn’t eaten anything. We might be told to return, only to be evicted again,” expressed Mary Mwakio, a resident of Msambweni.
Meanwhile, Sparkle Company Limited, the owners of the property, defended themselves and the government, attributing blame to Taita Taveta leaders. They claimed to have obtained a court order in February 2020, with residents appealing and losing the case at the Court of Appeal in March 2023. Subsequent negotiations involving Taita Taveta leaders, Sparkle Company Limited, affected residents, and the national government through the county commissioner’s office failed to yield a resolution.
Francis Mulili, the managing director of Sparkle Company Limited, revealed that despite having a genuine title deed and paying land rates to the county government for the past decade, attempts to engage Taita Taveta leaders in finding a solution were unproductive. The leaders allegedly failed to attend meetings on behalf of the residents, and promises to resolve the matter went unfulfilled.
