Italian investors raise concerns over alleged harassment and land disputes at the Coast

Police car./FILE

A growing dispute is emerging along Kenya’s coastal region, with some Italian investors and residents alleging harassment, land fraud, and extortion by criminal networks and certain state officials.

The case of Armando Tanzini, an elderly Kenyan of Italian origin, has become a focal point in the unfolding situation.

Tanzini was recently charged with a Sh165 million fraud case involving a prime parcel of land said to belong to a family at the Chembe Kibabamuche settlement scheme in Kilifi.He has denied the charges.

His associates claim he is being framed and argue that attempts to seek justice have not been successful. They further allege that he risks losing his properties and fears for his liberty and livelihood.

Tanzini’s case is not isolated, according to members of the Italian community in Kilifi and Malindi. Some investors claim they have lost valuable assets, including land, hotels, and holiday homes, through what they describe as questionable legal processes, alleged forged documents, and suspected collusion involving local actors. Others allege that those who resist such claims risk arrest, criminal charges, or threats of deportation.

Kilifi say their experiences on the ground differ from the government’s investment pitch.

Some sources within the investor community allege that powerful local figures may be linked to land disputes in the region, working alongside individuals within land administration and investigative agencies. These claims, however, have not been independently verified.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has also been drawn into the debate, with some lawyers and community members raising concerns about the handling of certain cases.

They question whether due diligence is consistently applied before charges are filed and whether disputes involving land documentation are thoroughly examined. Authorities have not publicly responded to these specific allegations.

Italian community representatives are now calling on the Kenyan government, the Italian Embassy, and the Kenya Investment Authority to intervene.

Among their proposals are a review of land-related cases involving foreign nationals in Kilifi and Malindi, a temporary halt to evictions and asset seizures pending such a review, and the appointment of a dedicated prosecutor to handle investor-related disputes.