Minister Ndejembi Orders Action Amid Land Conflict

Tears Flow as Minister Ndejembi Visits Land Dispute in Handeni

Handeni, Tanga - February 21, 2025

In a poignant visit to Handeni District in Tanga on February 20, 2025, Minister of Lands, Housing, and Human Settlements Development, Deogratius Ndejembi, was met with emotional pleas from local residents affected by a long-standing land dispute in the area. The dispute, which has lasted over a decade, involves residents of Kitalu A, a plot where residents have faced difficulties securing their land rights.

The minister's visit came after the Handeni District Council's decision to close the district land office following ongoing issues in the area. During the one-day visit, Minister Ndejembi was confronted by Mwajabu Kilo, a resident of Kwenjugo Ward, who shared the heartbreaking impact the land conflict has had on her family. Kilo lamented that her struggle to secure her land rights had prevented her from supporting her child’s education, leaving her son stranded at home instead of attending university.

Kilo explained that her plot in Kitalu A, which had been surveyed, is one of many embroiled in the ongoing land dispute. Despite repeated attempts to assert her rights over the years, she has faced significant resistance, with some individuals even discouraging her from pursuing her case. "I have been trying to resolve this issue for four years now, but I’ve been continuously misled and deceived. Meanwhile, others continue to build on the land," Kilo said tearfully.

Following the emotional outpouring, Minister Ndejembi took swift action. He ordered the immediate removal of the District Land Officer in Handeni, citing the officer’s involvement in the land conflicts. Ndejembi directed the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary to transfer the officer, ensuring they are not reassigned to another position within the district.

The Minister further emphasized that no district or regional leaders would be involved in the investigation of the land dispute. Instead, a team from the ministry, supported by the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB), would handle the investigation to examine the ownership of the contested land. Ndejembi underscored that any government official found to have illegally acquired land from residents would face severe consequences.

Twaha Mgaya, the local councilor from Kwenjugo, pointed out that the persistent nature of the conflict was due to some government employees illegally claiming land in the disputed area. Mussa Mkombati, the Chairman of Handeni District Council, also urged Minister Ndejembi to look into similar issues within the land office, highlighting that some individuals had been issuing land titles despite being fully aware of the ongoing disputes.

On February 4, 2025, the Handeni District Council passed a resolution calling for the closure of the district land office due to the continuing land conflicts, and despite numerous directives for action, the issue remains unresolved.