There is a need to sensitise members of the public about their rights, especially on compulsory land acquisition.
Speaking after a public participation forum at Busia Agricultural Training Centre, the National Land Commission vice chairperson, Julie Oseko, noted that a number of local residents had been displaced to pave the way for government development projects, but they have not been paid.
“We have promised them that we will come back to the ground and sensitise them through our county office on the entire process,” she said.
Oseko advised those occupying public land, especially the riparian areas, that such parcels will be reverted back to the public.
“There are some we are going to regularise, and some we will look for alternative solutions,” she said.
She urged the Busia County Government to form a committee that can steer handling of land cases, whose compensation is delayed because of land succession issues.
The official at the same time noted that grabbing of public land was rampant in the county and members of the public were very much aware of such cases.
“From the public participation forum, members of the public have said that they are looking up to the commission to come up with solutions,” she said, adding that the public have raised concerns over the grabbing of sewer lines, riparian land, schools and other higher learning institutions.
Busia Sub County DCC, Julius Maiyo, hailed the commission for enlightening members of the public on the roles of various government entities over land issues.
“Before participating in this forum, a number of the local residents did not know which cases to take to the Land Registrar, Land Surveyors and other stakeholders,” he said, adding that the commission explained the roles of the relevant stakeholders on land matters.
Maiyo cited Busia Airstrip and parcels of riparian land as some of the public land that have been grabbed by unscrupulous individuals, adding that NLC will be able to reclaim them.
Members of the public thanked the commission for visiting the ground, adding that most parcels meant for the public facilities, including the cemetery, had been grabbed.
They called for more sensitisation to the public so that they know their rights and also be compensated by the government over individual land parcels acquired through compulsory acquisition.
Residents also asked to be compensated for the graveyards of their kin during compulsory acquisition, urging that issues of fake title deeds should be addressed through proper record keeping by government entities.
The forum was meant to sensitise members of the public and address historical land injustices.
By Salome Alwanda
