Kisii county begins repossession of grabbed public land

Chief Officer for Physical Planning Zablon Ongori during a past function. [PHOTO: STANLEY ONGWAE/STANDARD]

All grabbed public land in Kisii town will soon be repossessed to create room for expansion of infrastructure.

County Chief Officer for Lands, Housing, Physical Planning and Urban Development Zablon Ongori said the town’s population has been growing rapidly in the recent past and this had exerted pressure on existing facilities.

He said a week ago, the county government repossessed over two acres of land from a private developer, and the plot is now being used as a bus terminus for matatus plying Kisii-Keroka and Kisii-Menyikwa routes.

He said they are looking for additional land to relocate traders from the central business district.

“Already we have identified a site for second hand clothes traders and vegetable vendors. Land where these traders will be relocated to had been grabbed by some individuals,” said Ongori.

He continued: “We have launched a Rapid Response Initiative and we hope to repossess a number of plots belonging to the government within 100 days,” he added.

Recently, the county government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands, formed the County Land Management Board, which will be in charge of land matters in the region.

Ongori said while County’s Urban Integrated Programme seeks to open a number of access roads in Kisii town, this has not been possible due to rampant land grabbing in the town.

Hold talks

“We are operating in a congested town that needs support from all stakeholders for better management. We will continue to hold consultations as we embark in our decongestion programme,” said Town Assistant Administrator Wesley Saisi.

Saisi said a number of building lack access paths and this may make it difficult for emergency response teams to access them in case of fires or other disasters. Saisi said the county government has written to the National Lands Commission over plans to repossess more 70 parcels of land it claims had been grabbed.