Data collection on Kihiu Mwiri complete, CS says

A land officer goes through documents presented to him by a shareholder of the Kihiu Mwiri Land Buying Company as the data collection phase came to an end Wednesday. [Photo: Boniface Gikandi/Standard]

The Government has concluded the collection of data from 6,500 members of the troubled Kihiu Mwiri land buying company who are seeking a share of 1,296 acres.

Wednesday, acting Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said the second phase, which is expected to take two weeks, will involve analysing the data to help expose those holding forged documents.

Dr Matiang'i told land buying companies riddled with wrangles to clean up because the Government was formulating a policy meant to protect the public from losing their money to rogue directors.

"We are not fools. The documentation we have will be used to separate the actual members from the impostors,” he said.

Speaking at Kihiu Mwiri Market when he visited the area to inspect the process of issuance of title deeds to members, Matiang'i said President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed that the titles be issued before September 30.

Director of Survey Cesare Mbaria and Joseph Kanyiri from Office of the President have been directed to co-ordinate the process.

“I'm on directives from the President and his deputy William Ruto that the process of data collection, analysing and surveying be complete before end of September,” he said.

On killings of the former directors, he said, more individuals associated with killings have been apprehended.

He said the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet will soon write to the Director of Public Prosecutions Keriako Tobiko recommending prosecution of individuals involved in the killings.

“We cannot allow criminal elements to install fear in the public in matters pertaining land,” said Matiang’i, adding that many directors of land buying companies are fleecing the public, a trend the Government would not entertain.