A personal assistant to a sitting Member of Parliament from the Coast region has been remanded at Shimo la Tewa Prison after being charged in connection with an alleged land fraud incident in Kilifi South.
Victor Katana Mganga was arraigned before the Shanzu Chief Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, facing two criminal charges: malicious damage to property and conspiracy to commit a felony. The charges stem from a protracted land dispute involving a 3-acre parcel of land that was allegedly grabbed from its rightful owner.
According to the prosecution, the disputed land, located in the Kilifi South constituency, had been subdivided into three one-acre plots. Katana is accused of forcibly taking over the land and demolishing a perimeter wall constructed by the legal owner in June 2024, triggering a legal battle that has now culminated in his prosecution.
Detectives in Kilifi South opened an inquiry into the matter mid-last year and, after months of investigation, submitted their findings to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), which approved the charges against Katana.
During his appearance in court, Katana denied all charges. The prosecution did not oppose bail but requested that the court await a prebail report before ruling on his release terms.
Chief Magistrate Florence Macharia ordered that Katana be held at Shimo la Tewa Prison until June 11, 2025, when the court is expected to consider the prebail report and make a determination on his bail application.
The case adds to the growing list of land fraud matters in the region, an issue that has long plagued landowners and investors, especially along the coast, where land disputes remain widespread.
Authorities say they are intensifying efforts to crack down on land fraud syndicates, which often involve well-connected individuals. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has urged members of the public to report any suspected land fraud activities and assured them of impartial investigations.
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