Residents of Embakasi East, Nairobi County were treated to a spectacle on Saturday after a businessman caused chaos over a disputed 14-acre piece of land.
According to residents who spoke to journalists, the businessman who runs a petrol station in the area, resorted to the extreme and drove a fuel tanker through the property, intending to destroy the building.
The residents have now been left counting losses following the incident which they point out, if left unchecked can lead to further conflict.
"He has forcefully driven the tanker through the property, destroying the gate and disrupting businesses," one resident told the press.
One person was injured in the fracas as residents demanded justice and freedom to occupy the piece of land.
Besides Saturday's destructive act, the businessman was accused of using goons to scare the residents and force them to move out. Also, the residents added that the man also uses vehicles to block their businesses.
"We are the owners of this land and one of the challenges we are facing is that a rich man who is our neighbour is looking for every means to stop us from using our land," one of the residents stated.
The locals revealed that the private investor was liaising with other officials to grab their land. They also shared documentation showing ownership of the land in question.
Per the residents, the businessman did not have the paperwork to prove ownership and had failed to show up at discussion forums to resolve the wrangle.
They therefore called upon, the Ministry of Lands led by Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome and other relevant authorities to intervene and reveal the owner of the land.
However, the residents complained that an influential individual may protect the businessman and they fear their property may be lost to land grabbers.
"They have been summoned to the police and refused, who are they, you can tell that they do not respect the law. We are obeying all the directives," another resident complained.
