Goons allegedly sent by Engineer Benjamin Kithee Chamia, the Chief Officer for Roads and Public Works in Kitui County, On Friday, August 24, 2024, were compelled to backfill a trench they had dug, which had blocked access to plot number 650 owned by Francis Kieti, also known as “Vanilla.”
Vanilla was shocked when he discovered that the road to his plot, legally opened by District Surveyor Michael Muema in 2022, had been obstructed. The action prompted swift intervention, leading to the reversal of the blockage.
Vanilla has since accused Chief Officer Chamia of abusing his powers to protect personal family interests. According to him, the Chief Officer’s involvement stems from his familial ties to the land adjacent to Vanilla’s plot. The dispute has longstanding roots involving the Chamia family, who had previously closed an original access road that passed through their land, sparking tension between them and Vanilla.
Documents from the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning confirm that on September 1, 2022, District Surveyor Michael Muema led a team to the site to establish a new access route to Kieti’s plot (Kyangwithya/Tungutu/650). During the survey, a 12-meter-wide access road was mapped and officially marked on the ground as per the area map.
The surveyors made it clear that any interference with this road would be illegal. The process was conducted in the presence of local officials, including the area chief, and all parties involved agreed to the boundaries established using GPS technology and the official Registry Index Map (RIM).
This access road conflict dates back to 2013 when Senior Chief Benedict Kitheka of Township Location requested the District Lands Registrar to officially open a road for plot 650, owned by Vanilla.
The request also involved other plots, including numbers 1319, 1320, and 649. The dispute escalated when the original access road, passing through plot 649, was closed following a notice issued by Dr. John Chamia, the brother of Chief Officer Benjamin Chamia, and owner of Jocham Hospital in Kongowea.
Vanilla explained that the original access road arrangement was based on a gentleman’s agreement between him and the late Mzee Chamia, the family patriarch.
However, after the Chamia family closed the road, Vanilla approached the District Surveyor to establish a new legal access route to his plot. The surveyors marked the new road according to legal procedures, allowing Vanilla clear access to his property until this recent interference.
The current situation has reignited tensions, raising concerns about potential misuse of power and conflicts of interest.
Vanilla remains firm in demanding uninterrupted access to his property, citing the legal survey conducted in 2022. Despite efforts to reach Chief Officer Chamia for comment, he has not responded to calls or messages.
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