Kajiado residents to get titles after 12-year wait

Close to 30,000 families in Olekasasi in Ongata Rongai Ward are set to be given titles deeds.

This was revealed during a meeting bringing together the National Land Commission official and county officials held at the weekend to deliberate on longstanding land issues in the area.

Although the area was surveyed in 2000 and approved in 2002 by then Minister Katana Ngala, the residents have never been given the land documents.

Speaking at the function, Governor David Nkedianye blamed residents' land woes in the area on corruption among former land officials.

Uphold integrity

The governor said that land officials must uphold professionalism in handling the land issues, adding that it was a shame that those entrusted with land matters in the past used their positions to grab public plots.

"Let us be ready to protect our land, be it private or public. Public land is supposed to be used to start projects that can bring services closure to the public," said Nkedianye.

The Kajiado governor asked the Land Management Board to ensure that the issuance of title deeds is is done in a fair and open manner.

The governor said surveyors will visit the area soon ahead of the issuance of the land documents.

Ongata Rongai Ward Representative Mwathi Pere said the locals have been waiting for the important documents for long, adding that issuance of the crucial documents would enable them develop their land.

"The success of giving locals their land will be a big boon for development," said Mr Pere.

County Executive for Land, Physical Planning and Environment Ali Letura said that those illegally occupying public land will be ejected.

"If you know you acquired any piece of land here (Olekesasi) illegally, prepare to leave," said Mr Letura.

Land Management Board member Hamilton Parseina said that around more than 800 plots owners will receive the titles.

Pay rates

Olekasasi Land Owners Association Linus Njeru, welcomed the announcement, adding that land conflicts in the area had made it difficult for residents to pay rates to the county government.

"This is going to be a major milestone. Most of us have never been able to develop our land due to lack of the ownership documents," said Mr Njeru.

Recently, the county administration announced that buying land in Kajiado county are doing so at their own risk as the ban on land transactions imposed in June 2013 was still in force.

Lands Executive Ali Letura said land transactions carried out after the ban will not be recognised once the County Land Policy comes into effect.

A land survey carried in the county recently showed 74 per cent of families interviewed had sold part of their land.