Peter Njaramba, 65, is among residents of Murang’a County who is smiling after he managed to walk home on Thursday with physical proof for his piece of land.
Mzee Njaramba could not hide his joy upon receiving a document he had laboured for 10 years after Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary James Macharia issued him with a title deed.
“I have been looking for the title deed for years, spending many hours at the Murang’a Lands Registrar without success. I’m happy that President Uhuru Kenyatta has honoured the pledge he made in 2013, that before he leaves office in 2022 he would ensure six million Kenyans will have received their title deeds,” said Njaramba.
CS Macharia issued 1,092 title deeds. In the past nine years, President Kenyatta has issued 77,919 title deeds in the county.
The CS, who was accompanied by his Principal Secretary Paul Maringa and Central Regional Coordinator Esther Maina, said Uhuru’s government has managed to honour promises made in 2013 and 2017 campaign periods.
In Maragua sub-County 744 residents got title deeds, Kigumo 114, Kandara 66, Murang’a East 55, Mathioya 31, Kangema 30, Gatanga 9 and Ithanga 2. Ms Maina said domestic wrangles are partly due to issues touching on land thus affecting the processing of the documents.
In Laikipia County, Health CS Mutahi Kagwe distributed hundreds of titles in Laikipia North Constituency as he drummed up support for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and Jubilee Party candidates in the Central region, saying the Government was determined to empower its people economically.
Mr Mutahi was accompanied by a section of Laikipia leaders said lack of land ownership has been part of many tussles in families.
In Makueni County, Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i issued 26,000 title deeds and cautioned parents against selling all their land causing family disputes.
“Since independence up to 2013, only 5.6 million title deeds had been issued to land owners and that was a span of almost 50 years. When Uhuru took till now, we have processed six million title deeds,” said Dr Matiang’I
“Men have a tendency of silently marrying more wives, and consequently selling their land and at the end leaving their first wives and children in agony. I want to challenge the land control board to always know what is happening,” he added.
He also sent a warning to Lands officers on what he termed as continued frustrations to Kenyans through asking for bribes before releasing title deeds.
“These titles are issued free, they have been paid for and so Kenyans should not be subjected to paying anything for them,” Matiang’I warned land officials.
He termed President Kenyatta as a dedicated person who has stood for the needs of Kenyans during his tenure. For his legacy to continue, and his pending projects completed, Matiang’I drummed support for Azimio One Kenya presidential candidate Raila.