Chaos and Bloodshed Over Malindi Land Dispute

A land dispute in Malindi has turned deadly. One man is dead, and a woman is nursing gunshot wounds after violence erupted over a three-and-a-half-acre plot in Kijiwa, along the Mombasa-Malindi highway.

Armed youths stormed a construction site, clashing with workers building a perimeter wall. Gunshots rang out, leaving blood on the disputed land.

As tensions rise, accusations of land grabbing, defiance of court orders, and political interference have fueled the chaos. Who truly owns the land, and what forces are at play?

Violent Confrontations Erupt Over Malindi Land Dispute

Malindi is now a battleground in a multimillion-shilling land feud. Armed youths raided a disputed property, attacking workers and stopping construction.

Witnesses say the attack turned deadly when gunfire broke out, leaving one person dead and another wounded. The injured woman is receiving treatment at Malindi Subcounty Hospital.

The controversy stems from a three-and-a-half-acre plot in Kijiwa, a prime location along the Mombasa-Malindi highway. Two opposing factions claim ownership, leading to violent confrontations and legal battles.

Shela Ward MCA Twahir Abdulkarim has inserted himself into the dispute. He led protesters to the Malindi Deputy County Commissioner’s office, demanding an immediate stop to the construction.

Their protest followed an interim court order from the Malindi Lands Court, which temporarily halted all activity on the contested property.

The situation escalated when the group moved to the disputed site, where chaos erupted. Amid the confrontation, gunfire ensued, and the land dispute turned deadly.

Political and Religious Leaders Weigh In

Malindi politician Jamal Sheikh accuses Alfred Akunga of ignoring the court order and forcefully taking the land.

According to Sheikh, the land belongs to the daughter of former Watamu councillor Ali Didi. Sheikh claims previous efforts by county officials to stop development failed because Akunga has backing from a senior politician.

Religious leaders have also entered the fray. Muslim leader Famau Mohamed condemned the alleged land grabbing, saying local leaders had sought intervention from the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) to resolve the matter peacefully.

Former councillor Ali Didi insists that his daughter is the rightful owner of the land. Meanwhile, Akunga maintains he legally bought the property in 2016 for KSh 10 million and has all the necessary ownership documents.

Malindi Land Dispute Takes a Legal Turn

The dispute has taken a legal twist, with both sides presenting conflicting claims. Akunga alleges that those contesting the land pressured him to sell it.

When he refused, they produced what he calls a “fake title deed” and offered KSh 60 million to take over the property.

He also claims authorities are unfairly targeting him, as four of his workers were arrested after protesters returned to the site with Malindi OCS officers.

The battle over land in Malindi reflects a broader trend of disputes fueled by political influence, corruption, and unclear land ownership records.

As investigations continue, the question remains—will justice prevail, or will the feud claim more lives?