This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Malindi, a coastal town in Kenya, has witnessed a dispute between a local tycoon, Japhet Shutu, and the Malindi District Cultural Association (Madca) over a 24-acre parcel of land.
According to Madca's secretary general, Joseph Mwarandu, the association has been occupying the land for over 16 years, knowing it was government land. However, Shutu, who is also known as Janja, claimed that the entire 24 acres belonged to him and that the government had asked to use it for a showground.
Shutu had entered into a lease agreement with Madca in 2015, where the association was to pay a monthly rent of Sh5,000. However, Mwarandu alleged that the association had failed to pay a single cent since the lease agreement was signed.
As a result, Shutu issued a notice to Madca to vacate the premises, citing non-payment of rent. The notice was issued by Richard Otara and Company Advocates on June 26, 2018, giving the association six months to vacate the land.
However, the eviction of Madca has sparked outrage among the elderly persons who were residing at the Mekatilili wa Menza Cultural Resource Centre. The elderly persons, who were forced out of the centre, have cursed Shutu and his family members, saying they will never enjoy peace.
Madca's spiritual leader, Kazungu wa Hawerisa, also cursed Shutu, saying that he had given the association a notice to vacate and immediately started erecting a stone wall surrounding the centre.
Shutu's actions have also raised concerns among the local community, with some fearing that hundreds of palm wine sellers and food kiosk operators at the famous Mbuzi Wengi area would also be evicted as the tycoon was busy constructing walls around their stalls.
