The government has promised to issue at least 1,000 title deeds to residents of New Game Mutukanio area of Elementaita Ward within Gilgil Sub County as a step towards solving the long-standing land problems in Nakuru County.
The development, according to County Executive Committee Member (CECM) of Lands, Housing and Physical Planning Mr John Kihagi, means that owners of the parcels of land can use the documents for financial transactions, such as placing them as security for loans.
While noting that issuance of the documents will end a more than three decades wait, Mr Kihagi expressed optimism that more revenue will be unlocked when the title deeds are given out.
The development comes in the wake of an announcement two weeks ago to the effect that the National Government in collaboration with Nakuru County would issue title deeds to more than 2,000 residents of Rongai Sub-County after a 31-year wait.
“This significant milestone comes as part of the ongoing efforts by Governor Susan Kihika’s administration to address land tenure challenges and secure land ownership for residents ultimately unlocking the economic potential of the region, improving the living standards of its people, and ensuring sustainable development,” Mr Kihagi pointed out.
Speaking during a meeting with Mutukanio Community leaders to formulate strategies to resolve title deed-related challenges in the ward, the CECM announced that the county will deploy surveyors to rectify discrepancies and errors that have hindered the development of the Registry Index Map (RIM), a critical step in the land titling process.
“This initiative will help clear any inconsistencies that may prevent proper land registration and ensure that the RIM accurately reflects the land boundaries in the area. This is a positive move and a step forward in economic elevation of Nakuru County and in the appreciation of our land value,” he elaborated.
He said the Ministry of Lands and the County administration were working to have the land adjudication completed in the Sub-County.
Mr Kihagi urged the residents to use the title deeds by empowering themselves economically, adding that the documents will now lead to appreciation of land in the region which will boost economic growth.
The meeting was also addressed by Lands Chief Officer Ms Stella Mwaura and County Secretary and Head of Public Service Dr Samuel Mwaura.
Mr Kihagi noted that the more than 1,000 families have suffered as they have been unable to access financial loans to develop their land since the 1980s due to lack of collateral.
“A title deed is not only proof of ownership but also a catalyst to economic empowerment as it can be used to get loans,” noted Mr Kihagi.
He said issuance of titles will offer security of land tenure that is pivotal in opening up the area for commercial ventures more precisely in real estate.
The CECM noted that the area has lagged behind owing to informal occupation of land by locals as they could not leverage on economic growth due to lack of relevant papers.
The region value has stagnated due to the semi-permanent houses built there as the owners cannot construct permanent ones due to lack of ownership documents.
The CECM cautioned the residents against disposing off their huge parcels of land at a throw away price and later remaining landless after squandering all the money obtained from the sale of land.
He challenged the locals to utilize their huge chunks of land wisely to plant crops like sunflower, pyrethrum, potatoes, maize, beans and peas that do well in the area.
“When you produce enough food for your family and sell the rest to earn an income, you will not have time to be incited by selfish people who thrive in crisis,” he said.
Mr Kihagi added, “It is true the sale of land is between willing buyer and willing seller but it is also unacceptable for people to sell this precious resource and end up begging from those they sold their land to.”
He further called on the locals to utilize their lands in building commercial structures or use their land for farming to earn a decent livelihood.
“Why is it that other people from far away counties buy your land and develop to earn millions from it yet, you locals cannot do anything on your land that can earn your money? It is time we woke up and compete with other counties to develop our region,” he said.
Lands Chief Officer Ms Mwaura announced plans to establish a settlement committee comprising local community leaders and county technical staff. The committee will play a crucial role in expediting the land titling process, ensuring that all relevant stakeholders are actively involved and that the process runs smoothly.
“To ensure transparency and thoroughness, committees representing all villages have been formed to work alongside government officials in verifying land claims and protecting residents’ rights. This effort includes identifying and securing essential amenities, such as schools and markets, to benefit the entire community,” the Chief Officer elaborated.
Ms Mwaura pointed out that the distribution of the title deeds will enable residents to take advantage of the land ownership to develop their pieces of land.
She advised residents not to sell land as it could easily lead them to being landless and live a poor life.
The title deed, she observed, is an important document that residents can use to take loans from financial institutions and improve their living standards.
“This document should be used to make you rich, not to bring poverty in your homestead. If you sell all your land, your children will be left landless and poor,” the official warned.
She also challenged the residents to do productive business on the land to eliminate poverty in the society.
County Secretary Dr Mwaura described the land titling initiative as a testament to the unwavering commitment by the National Governor in collaboration with Governor Kihika’s administration to resolving the persistent land issues in the county.
“With this effort, the Governor aims to unlock the economic potential of the people of Gilgil Sub County, providing them with secure land ownership that will pave the way for better livelihoods and improved opportunities,” added Dr Mwaura.
Dr Mwaura said he was optimistic that title deeds will now help check land grabbing and end land disputes adding land security will be ensured and disputes drastically reduced since owners will now have title deeds.
He appealed to residents who will get the documents to keep them in safe custody.
The County Secretary stated that the initiative, spearheaded by Governor Kihika’s administration in collaboration with the National Government, is focused on expediting land settlement while safeguarding essential public utilities within communities.
Nakuru hosts numerous settlement schemes established shortly after independence. Until the late 1990s, a majority of the beneficiaries only held allotment letters.
Prolonged disputes and lack of proper organizational structure has remained a major challenge to the resident’s clamour for the legal documents that have the potential of transforming lives.
A team of officials from the county’s Lands Department and the National Lands Commission (NLC) has been formed to expedite the processing of the title deeds.
Mr Kihagi observed there were many petitions from residents whose continued stay on their respective parcels without the documents left them uncertain.
“There is a growing concern over the lack of security of tenure from residents. We are racing against time to unlock the backlog in title deeds issuance,” said the CECM.
Mr Kihagi indicated that due to many land cases pending in courts, the County government had trained mediators to help resolve the disputes and hasten the issuance of title deeds to residents.
He said most land cases can be solved through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as opposed to filing court cases. This, he said, will ensure the ongoing titling programme benefits more residents.
Statistics from the courts in the region indicate that a big percentage of the cases filed revolve around land disputes.
By Jane Ngugi
