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Landless, homeless and sick ex-convict appeals for help from well-wishers

 

When Kinyua Njiru stepped out of Kamiti Prison on November 26, 2021, was shocked to find his half an acre piece of land in Kawanjara village of Runyenjes, Embu County sold by a close relative who has since died. Jailed for violent robbery, the 48-year-old former convict traces his troubles to a long standing land dispute.

“I was framed and ended up in jail for an offence I never committed. My uncle who sold some of our ancestral land is the one who concocted the story to fix me since I was the stumbling block,” claims Kinyua.

Kinyua says even before he went to jail, he had sensed danger when Nyaga Kagundu who has since died, acquired a portion of their ancestral land.

The matter ended up in court after Kinyua was arrested for giving false information, a charge that was dismissed.  

He says his father Joshua Njeru Kagundu died on October 3, 1997 before transferring his share to him. There was a succession case in court when he discovered that the land was now registered in the name of his uncle Nyaga who in turn transferred it to Ireri who has since died.

Kinyua was later arrested for raiding a bar on the night of March 4, 2004 at Ena market. Police relied on witness accounts of a barman who claimed he was certain Kinyua was among the four men who attacked them.

“He (barman) claimed he heard my voice, and that’s how I ended up in Kamiti Prison and served 17 years,” says Kinyua who now uses a catheter to answer calls of nature.

His back is also supported by a rubber corset following a road accident in 2006 while being taken to court in Embu. His back was severely injured and he has been using the corset since then.

While in prison, he got other infections since the catheter was changed only once. As he battles his ill health, Kinyua is confronted with the dilemma of having no home where he can settle and integrate into the community.

“When I left prison, I had high hopes of picking up my life once and starting afresh. But it is turning out to be a bad dream since the land that could enable me to stand on my feet is gone,” says Kinyua.

He claims those behind the grabbing of his share of land ignored a caveat he had put on the parcel while in prison. Penniless and with an ailing body, Kinyua is not sure whether he will win the battle.

Kibuti Gichori, a village elder, said Kinyua is in dire need of help since he has been disinherited.

“I know his matter. Even before the man went to prison, he had been fighting with some individuals to grab their ancestral land,” said Kibuti.

According to the elder, Kinyua has nowhere to call home since strangers have settled on his entitled piece of land.

“I am appealing to the President and Inspector General of Police to help me get back my land,” pleads Kinyua. BY THE STANDARD MEDIA

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