Hello Cyprian,

Kindly hide my identity.

I would like to raise serious concerns regarding events that recently unfolded at Golden Beach near Lawfords in Malindi, where local investors claim they have become victims of intimidation, destruction of property, and abuse of authority allegedly involving officers from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

The dispute revolves around a beachside property situated opposite the now-popular LOST Bar and Restaurant, an establishment owned by a foreign investor and expected to host the highly anticipated Summertides Festival beginning next month.

According to local sources, the land on the opposite side of LOST Bar belongs to a local family that possesses ownership documents for the property. One of the family members reportedly invested heavily in establishing a beach campsite on the land after months of preparation.

The project involved clearing thick bushes, purchasing furniture, constructing facilities, and recently acquiring more than 15 tents to accommodate visitors expected to flock to the area during the Summertides festivities. The aim was simple: allow local investors and workers to benefit from the increased tourism expected during the event.

However, those involved in the campsite project now claim they have faced repeated harassment.

According to the complainant, the owner of LOST Bar has allegedly been using influence to pressure KWS officers into targeting the local campsite operators. The complainant alleges that threats and intimidation have occurred on several occasions in an effort to force the local investors off the property.

The situation reportedly escalated dramatically on Friday night.

Witnesses claim that workers at the campsite were arrested while structures and property worth hundreds of thousands of shillings were destroyed. Among the items allegedly destroyed were tents, chairs, a massage parlour, a kitchen structure, and other facilities that had been established to serve tourists and visitors.

The complainant further alleges that some of the tents were deliberately set on fire.

"What happened was unacceptable," said the source. "People invested their savings and worked for months to build something legitimate. Then suddenly their property is destroyed and workers are arrested."

The incident has particularly alarmed residents because it allegedly involved fire being lit at a beach location during windy conditions.

Locals say the decision was reckless, especially considering recent incidents of devastating fires involving makuti structures along the coast.

"Imagine setting structures on fire at the beach at night when strong winds are blowing. It could easily have spread and caused a much larger disaster," the complainant said.

What makes the situation even more controversial is the claim that the ownership dispute over the land is already before the courts.

Residents are questioning why enforcement action would be taken before the legal process has been concluded.

"If there is a case in court, why take matters into your own hands?" asked one resident. "Shouldn't the courts determine ownership and rights before people's property is destroyed?"

According to the complainant, five individuals who were arrested during the operation were later released after police reportedly declined to become heavily involved in the matter. The individuals are said to have secured their release after paying cash bail.

The allegations have sparked anger among local residents, many of whom believe that local entrepreneurs are being pushed aside while larger investors receive protection and preferential treatment.

Critics argue that tourism development should benefit both foreign and local investors rather than create an environment where small-scale entrepreneurs feel threatened from participating in the local economy.

The complainant is also calling on organizers of the upcoming Summertides Festival to take note of the allegations and investigate the conduct of those associated with the dispute.

Visitors planning to attend the event, they argue, deserve to know about the concerns being raised by members of the local community.

At the centre of the controversy are several unanswered questions:

Why were workers arrested if the land dispute is allegedly still before the courts?

Who authorized the destruction of property?

Were proper legal procedures followed?

And if public officers were involved, under what authority was the operation conducted?

As the affected investors count their losses and attempt to rebuild, residents are demanding an independent investigation into the incident and accountability for anyone found to have acted outside the law.

For many in Malindi, the issue extends beyond a campsite. It is about whether local investors can compete fairly, whether state agencies are being used appropriately, and whether the rule of law applies equally to everyone regardless of their status or connections.