Senior security officers in Murang’a County moved to action and drove out a group of land invaders who had been camping in Kakuzi and Delmonte farms.

This was after images appeared showing the invaders being involved in wanton destruction of trees on the far.

Security officials at the farm took images of the gang in the illegal business.

This had also shown the security chiefs had defied directives by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who recently ordered swift security enforcement against the land invaders.

A spot-check at Kakuzi Plc confirmed that, two weeks after the orders by Murkomen and more than a month after the firm secured Court orders against illegal invaders and trespassers on its properties, crudely armed invaders were still occupying a section of the land.

In the wake of the suspected defiance, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Eliud Lagat has named Clinton Kimaiyo, formerly the Deputy Head of the RECCE Unit, as Murang’a County police commander.

Kimaiyo is expected to lead operations against illicit brews and the invasion of private lands by criminals. Kimaiyo takes over from Benjamin Kimwele, who has been recalled to police headquarters.

Some of the crudely armed invaders suspected to be a resurgent Mungiki cell were occupying Kakuzi land, in the Kituamba and Nginye areas, identified as LR 3558 and LR 10731, have continued to cause massive environmental damage estimated at more than Kshs 200 million through the illegal harvesting of forest products and stone quarrying.

Invaders who had erected makeshift structures in another section of Kakuzi near the Gachagi area were also building new structures and remain undeterred by Murkomen’s directives and the Court Orders issued at the Murang’a Environment and Land High Court last July.

But after the images circulated, the security team in the area staged an operation driving them out.

They vowed not to allow them into the expansive farm.

Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja had been alerted and also demanded an explanation on Tuesday September 2 2025 prompting the move by the local officials to act amid claims of political interference.

Speaking when he confirmed the security team’s inaction, a source at Kakuzi Plc said the listed agribusiness firm had moved to court seeking legal relief against the invaders and secured court orders which are yet to be effected.

Speaking in Murang’a on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, Murkomen cautioned political leaders against inciting citizens to invade and steal from multinational farms in Murang’a County.

The CS issued a stern warning to politicians inciting members of the public to invade private land owned by Kakuzi and Del Monte.

He cautioned leaders against fueling tension over the ownership and use of such land, while urging them to resolve disputes through lawful and peaceful means.

He was speaking during the 30th edition of Jukwaa la Usalama County security tour on Tuesday in Murang’a.

Murkomen emphasised that inciting communities to take over land belonging to private companies was unlawful and dangerous.

He said, such actions risk destabilising communities and undermining investments critical to the country’s economy.

“We cannot allow anyone to take the law into their own hands,” he said.

The CS underscored the importance of protecting private property rights as mentioned in the Constitution.

He noted that companies like Kakuzi and Del Monte had legally acquired their land and were operating in accordance with the law.

The CS stressed that while grievances over land ownership and historical injustices are valid, they should be addressed through structured and legal processes.

“The government is committed to addressing land-related issues, but will not tolerate disorder. Those with disputes should seek redress through existing legal and institutional frameworks rather than confrontation,” he said.

“We must use alternative dispute resolution methods. That is the only sustainable way forward.”

The Interior CS also highlighted the risk of politicising land matters, saying it often leads to violence and displacement.