By Betty Luke
Tens of residents who were evicted from a disputed piece of land in Mwangaza on Sunday morning have been warned against reconstructing their homes on the same land as the eviction order was legal.
The families have since Sunday been sleeping in the cold after their houses were demolished following a court order that the residents claimed to have no information about.
Isiolo county government on Tuesday donated timber, iron sheets and nails to the affected families so they could rebuild the homes at the place.
Governor Mohamed Kuti earlier maintained that his administration would help the families resettle at the same piece of land.
“The homes were demolished again in 2019 and we helped the families reconstruct their homes and even this time round they shall re-build at the same place,” said Dr Kuti.
But, Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding maintained that the eviction order was legal and warned the locals against resettling at the area and to seek legal redress if not satisfied with the order.
Mr Omoding, during an interview with journalists, said the eviction order was issued a year ago but was not executed due the outbreak of Covid-19 prompting the owner of the land to seek legal action against the security team.
“The order was issued last year but was not implemented since our officers were engaged in some other official duties,” said Mr Omoding.
The administrator said that to ensure the owner of the piece did not take further action, they (police officers) had to execute the eviction order.
“The locals were aware that they would be evicted from the land. They should have sought legal interventions,” the adminstrator said.
Mr Omoding further advised the affected residents to furnish the security officers with a court order against the eviction one that they claimed to have in their possession.
“Let them present to us the stay order they got from the court then they can continue building in the area,” he said.
The administrator has warned local politicians, radio stations and social media users against inciting residents against each other.
He said that investigations were underway and anyone found culpable shall face legal action.
“You cannot use other people’s problems to benefit yourself and residents should not allow people with selfish interests to divide them,” he said.
