This archive report was first published on 14 July 2021.
Tragic End to Sh90 Million Land Deal ¶
On July 7, 2021, Sidik Anwarali Sumra, a 48-year-old Kilifi County dairy tycoon, was brutally murdered by a mob of squatters in Junju village. The tragic incident occurred when Sumra and his associates, James Kazungu Kafani and Rahil Mohamed Kasmani, visited the village to assess a 90-acre land deal worth Sh90 million.
Sumra, who owned a successful dairy farm in Kikambala-Amkeni, had planned to expand his business by acquiring the Junju land. The land, which costs an average of Sh1 million per acre, was a top priority for Sumra, who had a reputation for being a shrewd businessman.
According to eyewitnesses, the three men were met with hostility by the squatters, who claimed that they were abductors who sold human body parts. The situation quickly escalated, and the three men were lynched. Their bodies were later dragged to the main road, where they were left to rot.
As the news of the tragic incident spread, the community was left in shock. Sumra, who was a well-known figure in Kilifi County, had a reputation for being a successful businessman and a philanthropist. He had previously won several awards for his dairy farm, including the overall winner at the Mombasa Agricultural Show in 2016.
Sumra's passion for dairy farming was hereditary, having inherited the business from his great-grandfather, Sidik Sanjar, who started the farm in Mombasa in 1912. The farm, which was worth over Sh50 million and employed over 70 workers, was a testament to Sumra's hard work and dedication to his craft.
As the investigation into the tragic incident continues, the community is left to mourn the loss of a beloved businessman and philanthropist. The incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of land disputes and the importance of resolving such issues through peaceful means.
