Leadership wrangles between warring factions claiming ownership of a piece of land in Athi River town, Mavoko Sub County have emerged.
The disputed 916 acre piece of land occupied by Syokimau Mavoko Community Association has turned in to a tug of war and threats among officials over ideology differences.
Addressing the press in Athi River town on Sunday, the association’s chairman Pius Musembi said his life was in danger after allegedly receiving threats from unknown people.
Mr Musembi claimed he had been severally trailed by people he believed were hired to assassinate him prompting him to record a statement at Athi River police station.
According to him, two of his officials were behind the woes after disagreeing with them over land allocation.
He said the two officials wanted the land meant for public utilities allocated to politicians and tycoons at the expense of over 4,000 needy residents who have occupied the land over decades.
"We as a community association have a management crisis as we have disagreed over the utilization of our public utility land. Two officials have been so rife and want the piece of land given to identified politicians and tycoons. As the Chairman, I have refused to append my signature on the same and now the two are fighting me saying they will eliminate me for failing to honor their demands,” said Musembi.
Musembi appealed to security agencies to investigate the matter to ensure his safety.
"My life is in danger and I have received threats that if I don’t honor the calls to have those tycoons and politicians benefit I will be a past tense. My aim is to serve the interests of needy residents. I appeal to security agencies to act swiftly and ensure my safety,” said Musembi.
The incident comes barely two weeks after bloody killings were reported in the area and two people died after attack of one group by another faction with pangas and machettes.
Athi-river OCPD Kizito Mutoro said the matter was being investigated asserting security agencies were vigil to avert any incidences involving land in the region.
"Land issues are very emotive and as security agencies we are on high alert to ensure that no bloody incidences are further reported. Our officers are vigil and have increased patrols to ensure the safety of residents,’’ said Mutoro.
For the past two weeks hundreds of makeshifts and permanent houses have been demolished in Stone Athi disputed piece of land in bid to avert further skirmishes resulting from the factions fighting over the same piece of land.
Land disputes are rampant in Athi-river Sub County a matter that has been attributed to availability of land, high number of slum dwellers and many locals who masquerade as squatters.