Coast

Malindi residents threaten to demolish private project on community land

Chamber of commerce and board of trustees chair Abdul Majid Swaleh addressing journalists on Wednesday in Malindi, Kilifi County. (Farhiya Hussein)

By Farhiya Hussein | Wednesday, May 22, 2024

The association said the private developer invaded the 13-acre parcel and does not have genuine documentation.

Furious Malindi residents are demanding immediate action from the government against a private project, claiming it encroached upon community land without proper documentation.

The Malindi Education and Development Association (MEDA) has threatened to demolish a fence around the property if the government does not swiftly revoke the developer’s documents.

The association said the private developer invaded the 13-acre parcel and does not have genuine documentation.

The chamber of commerce and board of trustees chair Abdul Majid Swaleh noted the parcel, which hosted the former famous Sinbird Hotel in Malindi town, was donated to the community over three decades ago for a recreational park and sports ground, hence, currently bearing the name Sinbird Park.

“Our attention has been drawn by the development initiated on this land by a private developer without notice despite we (MEDA) having the genuine documents for this land. We have consulted all relevant authorities, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI), Deputy County Commissioner, Ethics and Anticorruption Commission (EACC), National Land Commission (NLC), and the Kilifi County Government, but nothing has been done to stop the private project,” said Abdul.

A section of the disputed land in Malindi. (Farhiya Hussein)

Abdul added that the land has been privatised more than twice, saying the same private developer has invaded other parcels in Malindi, including those neighbouring Casablanca and Ocean Beach.

Famau Mohamed Famau, an activist in Malindi, alleged that every community ground in Malindi has been privatised illegally.

“Malindi no longer has a public ground. Youths have nowhere to go to engage their minds,” added Famau.

On his part, Omar Dhima asked for the investigation of various administrative offices that are involved in community land issues.

“The chief, Assistant County Commissioner, and County Government are involved in the issuance of community land documentation. Since they must be aware of what is happening here, they should explain how the private developer obtained this community land’s documents.”

MEDA, which uses Sinbird Park to offer youth technical courses, asked the County Government, National Environmental Management Authority, and the National Government to intervene and stop the project.