Absentee landlords a headache to house owners in Mombasa

The issue of absentee landlords has been a problem for house owners in the coast region for the past forty years.

Former Mombasa Mayor Rajab Sumba has called on the government to end this form of historical land injustice in the region.

He wondered why this land injustice has continued despite the introduction of devolved governments.

“The issue of absentee landlords came into the picture during the colonial era before the country got independence,” he pointed out.

Sumba refuted claims the absentee landlords have title deeds to the land they claim belongs to them in the region.

“These people do not own any land in the region yet the government handles this situation with a don’t care attitude,” he pointed out.

He spoke during a protest to stop the demolition of a family house with tenants inside at Guraya area of Mwembe Tayari in Mvita constituency, Mombasa county.

The former mayor lashed out at elected leaders for failing to address historical land injustices in the region.

Sumba, who is a member of the Mwembe Kuku land owners association [MKOA], told journalists he had expected local elected leaders to be on the forefront in stopping the demolition exercise.

The owner of the three storey house on the controversial land, who is a former civil servant, said he has valid ownership documents.

Mwinyi Kibwana said he had bought the seven acre land and property through an auction in 1979 which was during the Kanu era.

He lashed out at elected leaders for taking a back seat in resolving the issue of absentee landlords in the coast region.

“The politicians are good at wooing for votes during campaigns every election year but once they are elected they abandon the electorate at their hour of need,” he pointed out.

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