Marakwet East Member of Parliament Kangogo Bowen has called on the National Government to fast track the stalled land adjudication process in Marakwet East.
Mr. Bowen said the prolonged delay has denied residents land ownership documents and hampered implementation of key development projects.
Speaking in Tuturung, Marakwet East, the legislator said the adjudication exercise, which began more than five years ago, stalled following disputes that culminated in appeals, including a pending appeal before the Cabinet Secretary responsible for Lands.
Bowen appealed to Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration Kipchumba Murkomen to engage Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development Alice Wahome to expedite the resolution of the matter.
“The land adjudication process started several years ago but came to a standstill because of conflicts and subsequent appeals. It has now taken more than five years, and the delay is denying our people the opportunity to obtain title deeds,” Bowen said.
He noted that secure land tenure was critical for socio-economic development, investment and access to government services, adding that issuance of title deeds would unlock development opportunities across the constituency.
“I urge the Cabinet Secretary for Interior and National Administration to engage his counterpart in the Ministry of Lands so that the pending appeal can be concluded and our people issued with title deeds without further delay,” he said.
The MP observed that the absence of ownership documents had directly affected implementation of public infrastructure projects, citing the planned relocation of a school that has stalled due to unresolved land ownership issues.
According to Bowen, the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) had set aside resources to purchase land from residents to facilitate the relocation of the school to a safer and more suitable site. However, the acquisition could not proceed because the parcels lack proper ownership documentation.
“We intended to purchase land from residents through the NG-CDF to facilitate the relocation of the school, but without title deeds and proper documentation, the transaction cannot be completed. This has delayed an important education project that is meant to benefit learners in the area,” Bowen said.
The legislator also expressed concern over the slow progress of the Chesoi–Tuturung–Embobut road project, accusing the contractor of abandoning the site despite the strategic importance of the road to local communities.
He said the incomplete road had continued to inconvenience residents by limiting access to markets, schools, health facilities and other essential services.
“The contractor abandoned the project, yet the sections already completed are developing defects. The government should consider replacing the contractor so that the road can be completed to the required standards,” Bowen said.
He urged the relevant road agencies to intervene and ensure the project resumes without further delay, noting that improved road infrastructure would enhance connectivity, facilitate trade and support delivery of government services in the remote parts of Marakwet East.
Residents attending the meeting echoed the MP’s sentiments, saying expedited land adjudication and completion of the road network would significantly improve livelihoods and accelerate socio-economic development in the area.
By Rennish Okong’o
