Shanzu MCA Among Five Arrested While Marching to Governor’s Offices in Mombasa
Shanzu Ward MCA Allen Rodgers Katana was arrested on Monday, September 8, alongside five activists in Mombasa. The group was intercepted while marching to Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif’s office, demanding urgent action on land disputes.
They were detained at Makadara, then transferred to Central Police Station. According to officers, the protest lacked the official licence required for public demonstrations.
Protestors Demand Justice
The protestors insisted that promises made to them had been broken repeatedly.
“The Ardhi Fund was made into law, so we have been questioning why the matter is still pending. Why are they giving us false promises?” one activist asked angrily.
They claimed Governor Abdulswamad had ignored invitations to two public meetings in Shanzu.
“Just last week, we went to the Assembly, and we did not see him,” another protestor complained.
The activists also accused land grabbers of exploiting weak enforcement by using fake power of attorney documents to seize public land. They urged the county to start land mapping across all sub-counties before the situation worsened.
Deputy Governor Responds
In response, Deputy Governor Francis Thoya urged the residents to remain calm. He admitted that land ownership challenges in Kisauni were serious but insisted that protests were not the solution.
“We are not absconding with anything. One very clear thing is that Kisauni residents are struggling with land ownership issues, but these tussles are not helping anyone,” Thoya said.
He called on residents to embrace dialogue.
“These protests will not provide answers. Solutions can only be found if we sit down and discuss how to resolve this,” he added.
Land Tensions Worsen in Coast
The arrests come at a time when land disputes in the Coast region are intensifying. Just days earlier, the National Lands Commission (NLC) ruled that investors who purchased the controversial 3,000-acre Bamburi farm would need to pay again to secure ownership.
The NLC further declared that non-indigenous buyers must pay up to Ksh500,000 for each 50m by 100m parcel, depending on location. On the other hand, indigenous squatters were allocated 300 acres free of charge.
The ruling has divided opinion across the region, sparking fears of more unrest. For many Kisauni residents, the arrest of their MCA has only deepened frustrations.
As the land battles escalate, one thing remains clear—without urgent intervention, tempers may flare again.
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Shanzu MCA Among Five Arrested While Marching to Governor’s Offices in Mombasa
