This archive report was first published on 8 November 2019.
Published on November 8, 2019, a parliamentary showdown between Kilifi North MP Owen Baya and former Labour cabinet secretary Kazungu Kambi has left the latter vowing to campaign against Baya's bid to become Kilifi governor in 2022.
After Baya failed to convince parliament to reject Kambi on grounds of integrity and academic standards, sources close to the matter claim that the former CS has vowed to take on the lawmaker in the upcoming elections.
At the heart of the dispute is Kambi's alleged plan to push for the repossession of thousands of acres of squatters' land taken over by Mombasa Cement in Vipingo, Mtwapa, and Kikambala areas.
Supporters of Kambi claim that Baya's motive for opposing his appointment to the National Lands Commission was driven by fear that the former Kaloleni MP would tackle the issue of grabbed lands in Kilifi.
According to Patrick Thoya, a supporter of Kambi, 'It is true Kambi has been very passionate about the grabbed squatters' land which he had wanted to deal with if he had been elected Kilifi governor in 2017. He intends to deal with it through the lands commission and that is why Baya was being used by the grabbers to sabotage his appointment.'
It is alleged that Baya, a former Kilifi county secretary, has close ties with the owners of Mombasa Cement, who have promised to finance 30% of his governor campaign expenses.
A parliamentary recommendation to force Mombasa Cement to return Kilifi grabbed lands to squatters has been ignored, with Lands chief administrative secretary Gideon Mung'aro pointing out that Baya through Kilifi county government sabotaged the move.
