National Land Commission chairman Muhammad Swazuri.(Photo-Daily Nation)
National lands commission chairman Dr. Muhammad Swazuri has moved in to resolve conflict between a salt firm investor and community in Magarini to pave way for the multimillion investments that has never kicked off for over 20 years.
The Sharman company investor own 4000 acres which they intended to set up the salt manufacturing investment but part of the land is occupied by over 6000 locals who claim it’s their ancestral land in Msumarini area of Magarini sub county, Kilifi county.
Reports indicate that the investors acquired the land from another company that bought it in 1995 but the project has never kicked off ever since due to unending disputes.
Locals claim they reached an agreement with the Investors then Solar salt company to allow the communities settle in part of the land which they have invested in farming and leave the remaining part to the investor.
However When Sharman investor came in he changed the agreement and proposed to give out only 350 acres out of the 4000 acres which was not received well by the community.
Swazuri and the investors together with the area member of county Assembly Stanley Kenga and other community representatives toured the area with a view to come with a solution to the problem.
It emerged that there were some tittle deeds which were allocated but fall within water catchment area.
After a heated debate over the area earmarked for the project and eviction plans Swazuri said he would first send surveyors to survey the land and mark the boundaries for the areas suitable for salt production.
The National Lands Commission Chairman however told the Investor to begin production as he had left the land idle for so long.
“The investor acquired the land in 1995 but locals claim it’s their ancestral land, two of the areas where the investor wants are occupied while one is not occupied , for us to get a solution we need to balance,’’ he said.
Swazuri said the area in question has three tittle deeds which his commission would investigate.
“We shall survey the area which is occupied , and the salt harvesting area , the investor for the last 23 years has not been able to begin operation,’’ he said.
The area MCA said at one time the investors evicted some of the locals and pushed them far from the area which is not occupied and promised them that they would not be evicted.
He wondered how the investor now wanted to evict other people and give out only 350 acres out of the 4000 acres.
“We want the investor to use the open area for their investment it’s big and sufficient for their production of salt,’’ he said.