MPs slam Jubilee over directive to revoke titles

Kenya: CORD MPs have criticised President Uhuru's directive on Lamu land saying this was a scheme to divert attention from issues affecting the country.

The leaders who spoke to The Standard on Saturday said the Head of State was attempting to score 'cheap political points', by implying that the land problem in the area began when Siaya Senator James Orengo was the Lands minister.

President Uhuru on Thursday directed Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu, to revoke title deeds for 500,000 acres, which were acquired illegally between 2011 and 2012.

Nyando MP Fred Outa defended the 22 private companies whose title deeds are affected, saying they need to be given a fair hearing. "The president is running away from addressing the root cause of land injustices," he added.

Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, said: "The issue of land is so grave that we cannot start addressing it piecemeal. Land in this county was not grabbed in 2011, it started in 1963 during the Kenyatta administration. The President is trying to imply that the land issue at the Coast was caused by Orengo. This is a mere public relations gimmick."

Funyula MP Paul Otuoma accused the Jubilee administration of playing to the gallery.

"The question of land has been well articulated in various reports, such as the Ndung'u Report. We also have the National Land Commission (NLC), which should also be addressing these issues.Under the old Constitution, all land belonged to the President and he could give it away at his own whims," said Dr Otuoma.

Nominated MP Isaac Mwaura, asked Kenyans to wait for names behind land grabbing at the Coast before making any conclusions.

"The power for such acquisitions belongs to NLC. We know exactly who grabbed land in this country," said Nyali MP Hezron Awiti Bolo. Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabbir said rot in the Lands ministry goes back 50 years.