Tana Korole village in Tana Delta Sub-County, Tana River County. Photo Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti
More than 5,000 residents of Tana Korole village in Tana Delta Sub-County, Tana River County, are living in fear of eviction after a private investor began clearing their land and digging trenches to expand a controversial salt mining project.
The residents have accused Kensalt Limited of using unlawful means to extend its mining operations into Tana River County. They claim the company has diverted seawater onto cleared land, posing serious environmental and health risks to the local community.
Mohamed Nagei, a resident, lamented that even a government school had not been spared. He said the company was using police officers from Kilifi County to intimidate locals, and alleged that Kensalt was targeting over 3,000 acres of land.
“Every day, we are told we are squatters. People claiming to be Kensalt employees come from Mombasa and Nairobi, clear our grazing fields and farmlands, and direct saltwater onto them,” said Nagei. “We are appealing to the government to save us from these illegal activities.”
Garsen West MCA Mahmud Gabo, who spoke on behalf of Kipini West MCA Musa Warion, vowed to table a motion at the Tana River County Assembly to demand accountability over the disputed land.
“This project is illegal. I will table a motion in the assembly to demand that Kensalt be evicted before they evict our people. These communities have lived here for more than 30 years,” said Gabo.
His sentiments were echoed by former Garsen MP Ibrahim Sane, who warned that the community might be forced to defend its land if the government failed to act.
“This is not politics—it’s about our survival. A lasting solution must be found quickly. We will not allow anyone to invade our land and displace us,” said Sane.
Garsen MP Ali Wario assured residents that their rights would be protected and that the government would fast-track the issuance of land title deeds.
“Our people have been afraid of title deeds, but we are going to push for them now to secure your land rights once and for all,” said Wario.
Bura MP Yakub Ado, a member of the National Assembly’s Environment, Mining and Forestry Committee, pledged to escalate the issue.
“I sit in the Environment, Mining and Forestry Committee, and Wario is in the Lands Committee. We will ensure both committees visit this area, collect evidence of human rights violations and environmental degradation, and seek a solution,” Ado stated.
The dispute has sparked renewed calls for land reforms and stricter enforcement of environmental and mining laws, with leaders urging the government to intervene before tensions escalate further.
