Kalonzo linked to Meru land murders – Weekly Citizen

Former vice president Kalonzo Musyoka’s name features prominently in a sensitive land case in Meru county.
Recently, the High Court in Meru declined to order Kalonzo to record a statement after a murder suspect surprised the court by linking the former VC to land grabbing and murders that have rocked Kianda sublocation in Igembe South subcounty.
Justice Alfred Mabeya, instead instructed Igembe South deputy county commissioner James Kosgei, Igembe South DCIO Sammy Bett to facilitate court proceedings between to Kalonzo.

Joseph King’ori M’Ikamati

Lawyer Kirimi Mbogo, acting for Maua trader Joseph King’ori M’ikamati claimed in court, Kalonzo who has interest on 2,000 acres of land in the area has been compromising investigations in his favour.
In court, were documents showing correspondence between Kalonzo and Igembe South DCC and DCIO that Justice Mabeya upheld.
King’ori was charged for murdering George Mithika on October 4 2019 at Kianda sub location.
He allegedly committed the heinous crime at about 3pm with others who are still at large but has denied the charge and is out on Sh500,000 bond with one surety of similar amount.
The court has agreed the government’s failure to undertake land adjudication process in Meru and particular Igembe region has led to serious land disputes.
The lawyer informed the court that Kalonzo carved out his alleged piece from 10,000 acres from their ancestral land which is at the centre of dispute. The land belongs to more than 3,000 members of five clans of the Ameru in the subcounty.
The land belongs to the Meru clans of Akachiu, Uringu, Atubaita, Antubakuru and Akithigi.
According to lawyer Mbogo, the controversial property has led to a string of deaths that has been running for decades with Mithika being one of the latest victims.
Kalonzo is blamed for influencing probe in the disputed parcel of land in Amung’eti D adjudication area using his influence and network in corridors of power.
Mbogo petitioned the court to have Kalonzo record statement on grounds of sponsoring a gang terrorising residents in order to retain his land.
In an application filed under certificate of urgency, Mbogo blames Kalonzo a self proclaimed bornagain Christian for sponsoring goons to silence the members of the clans in order to retain the illegal acquisition of the property.
He claimed up to 73 people belonging to the clans have died since 1990 in land dispute adding powerful forces including Kalonzo are behind the grabbing of the piece of land.
The security team led by Kosgei is shielding the goons, including the late Mithika who took oath and planned to unleash terror on the land occupants.
According to the lawyer, DCC framed Mbogo for the crime and never arrested the members of the gang.
State counsel Patrick Namiti will supply the defence with all documents with case being mentioned on January 27 2020.
The oath is said to have taken place five months before Mithika was killed. Gangs with knowledge of Kosgei and Kalonzo met at Nthanjene and Tumu Tumu police posts, took an oath and vowed to evict all farmers in the parcel of land. M’ikamati accuses Kosgei of failing to arrest those who took the oath.