Seven suspects have been arrested for kidnapping and attempting to murder a 35-year-old man over a disputed piece of land in Diani, Kwale County. Among the suspects is an individual who works for a local political leader involved in the land dispute, according to police.
The group allegedly abducted Juma Swaleh from Tradewinds area, forced him into the trunk of a car, and drove him to the contested land before abandoning him there.
Swaleh was found with multiple stab wounds and severe injuries to his forehead, face, and nose. He was taken to Msambweni County Referral Hospital for treatment. Police later traced and arrested the seven individuals connected to the incident on July 17.
Kwale police boss Stephen Ngetich reported on Friday that the case of kidnapping and attempted murder is now before the court.
“The matter is now under active probe and we will take more action as more come out on the motive,” he said.
This came days after Justice Addraya Edda Dena issued orders stopping the Kwale County Government and four others including the governor stopping them from interfering with the land.
This is in relation to a matter where a foreigner owning the land under Krav Marine Limited has sued the parties for trying to grab his land.
Justice Dena ordered that the status quo on the suit properties known as Kwale/Diani Beach Block/1270-1287 shall be maintained.
“That there shall be no sale or disposition of the suit property by the parties in this suit. That the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Defendant shall also refrain from visiting the suit property for any purpose. These orders shall subsist for a period of 21 days awaiting the regularisation of the record by all the defendants,” she ordered in the order dated July 3.
The judge stated that the court will review and confirm the status quo orders with the agreement of all parties involved. The case is scheduled for hearing on October 22, 2024. The judge warned that any failure to comply with the court’s orders could lead to penal consequences for those who disobey or fail to observe the directives.
She further noted that if the orders are not followed, an application could be made to cite those in violation for contempt of court, seeking their detention and other legal actions.
This development comes after the investor reported that police were not assisting him in securing the property despite the court order. Recently, unknown individuals invaded the prime property, fenced it off, and violated the court’s orders. This situation escalated into the kidnapping and attempted murder of the man on the land, according to police.
Earlier this year, Kwale County Governor Fatuma Achani and former Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua visited the land amidst ongoing controversies. Governor Achani announced that the Kwale County Government and the Ministry of Tourism are working on establishing a tourist market in Diani along the beach road.
She also mentioned that they had “successfully repossessed” two acres of land that had been illegally acquired by private developers, despite the matter still being in court.
