The National Land Commission (NLC) has assured Coast residents that it will pursue historical land injustices to the end, while cautioning that some cases could take more than 10 years to resolve.
NLC Chairman Dr Abdullahi Saggaf Alawy said the commission, appointed by President William Ruto and only six months into its term, had organised itself to address grievances that have weighed heavily on Coast residents.
Speaking in Mombasa during the launch of the Tenants-at-Will report and public participation on Historical Land Injustices (HLI), alongside the review of the Grants and Disposition Regulations, Dr Alawy said the commission was committed to addressing longstanding land grievances.
“We are in Mombasa today to discuss a historical injustice that affects those who own land and those who do not, its causes, the research behind it and the answers,” he said.
Dr Alawy described the tenants-at-will problem as a national issue that had become chronic at the Coast, saying resolving it would require sound law, goodwill from the Government and diligence from citizens.
He disclosed that he had also been affected by a land dispute, but his matter was resolved after it was pursued through the NLC and other State organs.
“I am sad to say that even I am one of those who suffered, but it ended because we followed it up,” he said.
The chairman urged people with pending cases not to lose hope and advised them to ensure they had proper ownership documents.
“Land problems are not solved in one month or one year. They take time, so let us be patient and wise, and God willing, we will succeed,” he said.
Speaking at the forum, Rajab Sumba traced the land crisis to independence, arguing that the Government of the day should have taken over both the people and the land they occupied.
He recalled that Liwali Salim Bin Khalfan, who represented the Sultan of Zanzibar at the Coast, was allocated land in the name of waqf, with the title held by his office on behalf of Mombasa residents.
Sumba said that in 2016, such land was being transferred to the Liwali’s family, causing hardship to many residents. He added that British Indian law had applied only at the Coast.
“A citizen takes pride in land, but we cannot because we have none,” said Sumba, who likened some Coast residents to refugees in their own country.
He commended President Ruto’s efforts to address the problem and urged him to prioritise Mombasa. He also criticised absentee owners living in Europe, India and Arabia who, he said, still lay claim to land and frustrate Kenyans seeking ownership.
Matano Andrew Mwambila, chairman of the Frere Town Descendants, said it was his first NLC forum and that he was encouraged by what the commission could do for the community.
He appealed to the President to help Frere Town residents reclaim land he said had been taken from them.
“Our land has been taken without our knowledge and without our permission. They come, sell and put up their buildings, and even past governments did the same to us. Frere Town people have lived here for more than 200 years, and we are asking for our land back,” said Mwambila.
by Ramadhan Nassib
