Elders warn public of land fraudsters along Meru-Isiolo border

When a section of Isiolo Meru highway was blocked by furious residents following the killings of three people in different parts of the Isiolo and Meru Isiolo border. [Bruno Mutunga, Standard]

Elders in Tigania East sub-county have warned Kenyans not to fall prey to people masquerading as owners of land along the border of Meru and Isiolo counties.

The elders said the 64 hectares of land belongs to the people of Nyambene and was set aside for a game reserve, gazetted in 2000.

Speaking at Kisima during a meeting between residents and administrators, the elders led by the Chairman of Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders in Tigania, George Kiramana and former chairman of the defunct Meru County Council, Stephen Mucheke, called for community forums to sensitise the public on land matters.

"Already, some people have fenced off sections of the land and even started erecting buildings. We ask these individuals to visit the Lands office at Muriri and ascertain the real owners of the land before making any transactions," Kiramana said.

He said that the vast land was solely for establishing a conservancy to benefit the community.

Mucheke warned that those purchasing the land from people who have irregularly obtained fake title deeds will only have themselves to blame once they are forcefully evicted.

"Potential land buyers should not rush into transacting any land-related business before visiting the Lands office to ascertain the owners of the land. Otherwise, they risk being defrauded of their hard-earned money," he said.

Tigania East sub-county Deputy County Commissioner Lawrence Kinyua called for strict adherence to the law when dealing with land transactions.

"Whoever is arrested and charged with defrauding other Kenyans will have no one to help him or her," Kinyua said.

Tigania East Land Adjudication Officer Anthony Muriithi said that the Lands office is open to the public to enable them to make informed decisions and avoid falling prey to fraudsters when buying land.