Shella Residents Accuse Lamu Official of Harassment Over Land Dispute

By Ben Okweingoti.

Residents of Shella fishing village in Malindi town, Kilifi County, have accused a senior Lamu County official of allegedly using security agencies to intimidate and harass them in an ongoing land dispute.

The residents claimed that the official, identified as Athman Seif, who serves as the Director of Agriculture in Lamu County and is also a politician, has been using his influence to force them out of their land in the densely populated village.

Speaking to journalists, residents led by Ms Fatiya Abdalla and Mr Jamal Sheikh condemned what they termed as continued harassment, citing the recent arrest of a respected female Muslim preacher as the latest incident.

According to Ms Abdalla, the preacher, Ms Latifa Hamisi, was unfairly targeted despite having committed no offence.

“Athman Seif arrived with police officers in their vehicle, pointed at Ms Latifa’s house, and ordered her arrest without any justification. Her only mistake was digging a trench to divert flood water from entering her home and neighboring houses,” said Abdalla.

She further urged the Lamu County Government to intervene and caution the official against allegedly misusing his position to intimidate residents.

“I urge the Lamu County Government to summon the official and warn him against taking advantage of his position to harass us,” she added.

Mr Sheikh claimed that the matter dates back over 15 years, when Seif successfully obtained a court order that led to the eviction of some residents from part of the disputed land.

He alleged that the official is now attempting to encroach on land that the court had ruled belonged to the residents.

“He went to court and we were evicted from part of the land 15 years ago, but now he has returned and wants to evict us from the section the court ruled belonged to us. He is now using security officers to intimidate and harass us,” said Sheikh.

Ms Latifa Hamisi recounted her ordeal, saying she was arrested from her home in the presence of her grandchildren.

“I was outside my house with my grandchildren when a police vehicle arrived. Seif stepped out, pointed at me, and ordered officers to arrest me. I was taken to the OCS Malindi office, briefly interrogated, and later released. The incident shocked me and left me fearing for my safety,” she said.

Tension briefly escalated during the meeting after Seif allegedly attempted to confront journalists who had attended to cover the residents’ grievances. However, residents intervened and forced him away from the scene.