A Malindi businessman is counting Ksh2.5 Million in losses after a perimeter wall he built was demolished following a dispute over land ownership.
According to Japhet Charo, rival traders are behind his woes. He cited the most recent case when his foes sent goons to demolish the perimeter wall he had erected to protect his property.
“The land is ours but rich men from Arab countries are coming to humiliate us here on our own land. We have won court cases against them but they keep demolishing the wall,” lamented Japhet Charo.
The goons sent to demolish the wall are said to have shown up in huge numbers. They were allegedly armed with firearms, knives and machetes with the intention of harming anyone who stood in their way.
Residents of Ngala town in Malindi claim the incident has made them fear for their lives since the goons are targeting more land owners besides Mr. Charo.
According to numerous accounts, the goons are also loose canons who have in the recent past shown the willingness to harm anyone witnessing them vandalising property.
Witnesses also state that the demolitions have gone on for 3 different nights.
In every instance, the goons show up with intentions of frustrating and stalling the businessman’s multi-million project.
In the recent demolition that happened on the night of July 16, the guards manning the property are said to have run for their lives after over 300 goons showed up armed to the teeth.
The businessman maintains that despite incurring huge loses, he is willing to persevere as long as the government restrains the intruder from encroaching into his property and interfering with his operations.
He expressed fears that the goons will keep on coming back and cause more losses if justice doesn’t prevail in due time. Accordingly, he has sought legal redress to hold the culprit accountable.
Speaking to the press on Monday, July 17, Mr. Charo stated that he has reported the incidents to the police but no action has been taken so far.
A recent police statement dated July 14, 2023 shows that a report was made by Mr. Charo's son Martin Katana. However, no follow-up was made.
“They don’t have any rights to do what they are doing to us. We have used millions in this project to see it go down in drains,” stated Rumba Mbui, one of the businessman's relatives.
The businessman claims that there has been communal conflicts in the Coast region mostly driven by land tussles.
