Family left homeless after armed men demolish three houses in Kisumu land dispute
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Family left homeless after armed men demolish three houses in Kisumu land dispute
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A family from Gwada village in Kisumu East has been left
homeless after armed men allegedly stormed their compound and destroyed their
houses in a land ownership dispute.
The armed men were captured on camera demolishing three houses
sitting on a disputed 1.8-acre piece of land, leaving the family seeking
protection from police amid fears of further attacks.
At the homestead of Morris Odhiambo, household items were
scattered across the compound, while the damaged walls of the houses told the
story of the destruction the family says it was subjected to on Monday
afternoon.
Amateur footage captured the armed men storming the compound,
destroying property and allegedly harassing the occupants.
“Hakuna maumivu ilitokea ijapokuwa vifaa ndio sasa walivunja…viti,
televisheni na zingine…wakazibeba wakaenda nazo,” Odhiambo stated.
Lorna Odhiambo stated that she was threatened after she
attempted to record the incident on her phone.
“Nilikuwa nashika video, akasema, ‘Wewe usijaribu kunishika
video.’ Akasema, ‘Naweza kukushoot.’ Kidogo akatoa pistol akanionyesha,
akasema, ‘Wewe naweza kukushoot,’” Lorna stated.
The family is caught up in a land ownership dispute involving
a 1.8-acre piece of land that is currently before the Court of Appeal in
Kisumu.
The latest incident has left Odhiambo and his family fearing
for their safety, with the family now forced to spend nights outside their
homes.
“Hao wahuni hata jana walisema ati wanaenda lakini watarudi
kutumaliza. Sasa naomba serikali yetu itupatie usalama mimi na watu wangu kwa
sababu tunaishi tu hapa nje,” Odhiambo stated.
Market Milimani MCA Seth Kanga called for investigations and
the arrest of those behind the destruction.
“The rule of law must be respected at all times. The DCI
should investigate and arrest the people who did this thing at Odhiambo’s
home,” Kanga stated.
The family is now seeking refuge under the trees, uncertain of
what the future holds as they await police intervention and the outcome of the
land dispute.
Reporting originally appeared via Citizen Digital. Read the full source for additional context.