Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani is embroiled in a contentious land ownership dispute involving a Diani-based firm Krav Marine Limited which is claimed to have influenced a court ruling in its favour.
Their offices on Diani Beach Road are frequently visited by land dealers known for questionable transactions, including selling lands with dubious title deeds.
The firm’s claim of acquiring the controversial land 30 years ago raises suspicions, especially as Krav Marine has reportedly not filed returns with the company registry which suggests the directors may be acting as proxies.
Kwale County Government maintains that it acquired the land three decades ago and has quietly held it until recently when the land was subdivided for sale.
On July 3, 2024, the High Court temporarily barred Governor Achani and her administration from taking over part of a 13-acre disputed property, registered as Kwale/Diani Beach Block/1270, located along Beach Road in Diani and valued at Ksh 200 million.
The court also prohibited any visits to the land by the governor and her officials, as well as any sale or transfer of the property, pending the outcome of the case.
The Environment and Land Court in Kwale issued the orders after a businessman who claims ownership of the plot filed the case.
Krav Marine Limited has named Governor Achani, several county executive committee members and Rama Chimwaga as respondents in the suit.
All parties are required to submit their documents to the court, with the hearing scheduled for October 22, 2024.
Reports suggest that Krav Marine has alleged that Chimwaga violated court orders by attempting to erect a fence on the disputed land on July 3, accompanied by police officers.
The incident was reported to Diani Police Station by Pasterus Mamo, known for his influence in legal and police circles.
The county government plans to use the recovered land to build a tourism market in Diani.
According to Governor Achani, the county reclaimed two acres of the land that was allegedly misallocated.
In 2005, the Chimwaga family subdivided the land into 16 residential parcels of half an acre each, reserving five acres for commercial use.
The family which has managed the property since 1969 donated two acres to the Kwale County Government.
The land was reportedly seized by the obscurely managed Krav Marine.
