LSK says shooting of Meru lawyer linked to land row

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) now says the shooting of Meru lawyer Kirimi Mbogo on Wednesday evening could be linked to a dispute over a 10,000-acre piece of land in Kianda, Igembe South.

Mr Mbogo, who acts for five clans that claim ownership of the land, was shot in the stomach by unknown assailants outside his office in Maua town before the shooter fled on a motorbike.

LSK President Nelson Havi called on Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i to intervene saying some government officers are involved in the longstanding land dispute.

Speaking at St Theresa’s Kiirua Mission Hospital in Meru County, where Mr Mbogo is recuperating, Mr Havi, who was accompanied by Meru Bar Association chairman Kenneth Muriuki, raised the alarm over high crime rate in the Mt Kenya region and Maua town.

“We urge the Judiciary and other government agencies to ensure land disputes are resolved satisfactorily. We are aware that the advocate was pursuing a land dispute case where senior government officers are involved. Advocates are targeted by criminals to slow them down,” Mr Havi said.

He maintained that slow resolution of disputes by courts could also encourage more crime.

“There is a great concern of rampant cases of individuals who want to resolve issues outside the legal means. This is why the Judiciary should ensure there is speedy resolution of disputes,” he said.

The LSK president called on the police to get into the bottom of the shooting incident and ensure the culprits are brought to justice.

The land in question sits in Amung’enti D adjudication area and is said to belong to Akachiu, Akithigi, Antu Bankuru, Uringu and Antu Baita clans in Igembe South.

In October last year, chaos erupted in the disputed area leading to the death of one person. 

Last month, the clans through lawyer Mbogo said a politician has a stake in the disputed land and called for a probe into how about 2,000 acres of their land was allocated.