One dead, four injured in bitter land dispute

At least one person died and four others sustained serious injuries in a long-standing land dispute in Ndithini, Masinga, Machakos County.

Two groups have been fighting over the ownership of the 120 acre piece of land.

On one side are squatters who have occupied the land being claimed by individuals who bought parcels and want to put up homes.

The violent skirmishes saw several houses razed.

At the home of Kenneth Kinara who claims to have bought a parcel of land, a vehicle was set on fire.

The deceased is a farm hand employed by Kinara.

The squatters are said to have settled on the land for more than five decades ago after the previous owner, a colonial settler left the country.

Ndithini location acting Chief John Ndunda said the farmhand was attacked by armed goons.

Ndunda revealed that though the squatters had been living on the land for decades, they have no documents to claim ownership of the same, and the property has since been acquired by some individuals.

The administrator appealed for calm as an amicable solution is sought and assured that the government would do everything possible to restore law and order.