Nyali MP Hezron Awiti at a past event. Photo/ nation.co.ke
Nyali MP Hezron Awiti has faulted Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho for allegedly engaging in endless wrangles with local and national leaders instead of addressing land issues in the county.
Speaking on Saturday in Changamwe, Awiti said Joho has clearly shown that he is not committed to ensuring land issues in Mombasa are solved.Awiti argued that bickering will not end historical injustices related to land. “Huyu jamaa awache ugomvi. Amepewa jukumu kisheria kutatua mashida za ma squatters (This fellow [Joho] should stop fighting/ quarrels. He has been given the duty of solving squatters’ problems),” said Awiti, as quoted by The Star. The outspoken politician claimed that some powerful leaders in the country are to blame for the increased cases of land grabbing being witnessed in Mombasa. He said it is unacceptable for a few individuals to own large tracts of land in the region whereas those who have been living there for decades are squatters. He went on to accuse the county government of Mombasa of evicting residents of various areas because of different reasons. “Current occupants of the Kibarani area subjected to abject poverty and have been living on the piece of land [ 23 hectares] for over 20 years and have been neglected by the county government and, instead, are being evicted from the land,” he added. The MP further pledged that he will deal with the land issues, drug menace, create jobs and oversee fair distribution of elderly funds if given the mandate to become the next county boss.