The majority of which come in from Kwale, Nakuru, Kajiado, Narok, Kiambu, Meru, Kilifi and Mombasa.
The squatter problem at the Coast in particular was again brought to the forefront by Deputy President William Ruto’s promise that at least 1,000 title deeds will be issued to coastal residents by year’s end.
A promise former Prime Minister Raila Odinga says the Executive has no right to make, as it is usurping the role of the National Land Commission and using it to gain political mileage.
Mohammed however, took the Deputy President’s side, arguing that there was nothing wrong with allowing processes that began before the commission was instituted to continue.
“Before the commission came in, the Ministry of Lands had embarked on adjudication schemes and resettlement schemes for which not everybody had been given their title deeds in the coast province,” he defended.
But even as he sides with the Deputy President, Swazuri says his commission will adhere to the letter of the law when handling land disputes touching on those highly placed in government.
Only a month ago the High Court directed the Deputy President to return land he was accused of grabbing in the Post Election Violence of 2007/2008 and questions have also been raised as to how the Head of State’s family acquired the vast tracts of land in their possession.
What Mohammed is wary of is the great responsibility that will weigh on his shoulders over the next five and a half years – the responsibility to ensure the bloodshed that followed the 1992, 1997 and 2007 general elections never occurs again on account of land.
“Well, somebody has to do it. One Kenyan out of the 42 million or so has to do it and as it turns out, that man is me.”
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