Bamburi Cement is facing a lawsuit filed by the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) on behalf of 11 Kwale County residents who allege brutal attacks, unlawful detention, and human rights violations by the company’s private security guards and General Service Unit (GSU) officers. The case, now before the Kwale High Court, highlights a longstanding conflict over access to land in Denyenye Township, where the company plans to establish a clinker processing plant.
According to court filings seen by Citizen Digital, the residents, aged between 24 and 60, have historically used designated routes through Bamburi Cement’s property to reach the Indian Ocean for fishing and the nearby forest for firewood collection. However, they have been accused of trespassing on company land, resulting in what KHRC describes as repeated violent encounters over the past five years.
The petition alleges that private security guards and GSU officers have subjected the victims to brutal beatings using kicks, blows, rungus, and large sticks, causing severe injuries. Additionally, security personnel allegedly released guard dogs on the unarmed residents, leading to serious dog bite wounds on their arms and legs. Despite reporting these incidents at Kwale police station, no legal action has been taken against the perpetrators.
KHRC further asserts that upon arrest, the victims were neither taken to a police station nor charged with any offense. Instead, they were allegedly forced to surrender their catch and firewood, with some coerced into paying bribes to secure their release. The victims claim they were denied immediate medical attention despite sustaining injuries such as blunt force trauma, bruises, and dog bites.
The lawsuit names Bamburi Cement as the first respondent, while Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja and Attorney General Dorcas Oduor are listed as the second and third respondents, respectively. The human rights body argues that both state and private security forces have violated fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution, and it seeks justice for the affected residents.
This case underscores broader tensions between corporate interests and local communities in Kenya, where land access disputes often escalate into violent confrontations. As legal proceedings unfold, affected residents hope for accountability and better protection of their rights. The outcome of this case could set a precedent for how similar disputes between corporations and communities are handled in the future.
For further updates on this developing story, stay tuned.
