He said the then leadership issued the public lands to their relatives and cronies and hence it has not been easy to acquire back the land/FILE
NYANDARUA, Kenya, Aug 22 – The County Government of Nyandarua has expressed concerns over the rising cases of land grabbing especially of public utility land and road reserves.
Speaking at Igwamiti Catholic parish in Boiman village, the County’s Executive Committee (CEC) member in charge of Lands and Physical Planning Gitau Thabanja said surveying process was being carried out to validate the list of beneficiaries and also ensure that only the land meant for settlements is issued to the public.
He said the rise in land grabbing cases was as a result of high demand of land and lucrative prices.
“Majority of the grabbers are targeting undeveloped plots, schools, health centres and churches. Residents and other land buyers should be extra cautious while purchasing such properties,” he warned.
Thabanja added that plans were at an advanced stage to ensure that squatters living in the various villages within the county are issued with title deeds and allotment letters to enable them also access credits from financial Institutions as collateral.
“Plans were underway to ensure that public utility lands are revoked and returned back to their rightful owners” he said.
His sentiments were echoed by Gathanji Ward Member of County Assembly Samwel Thuita who said majority of the grabbed land was acquired during the defunct local authorities.
He said the then leadership issued the public lands to their relatives and cronies and hence it has not been easy to acquire back the land.
“The County Assembly has approved Sh20 million it the budget to facilitate surveying and planning of plots and grabbed public land across the county,” he said.
Thuita said land grabbers must be arrested and forced to return back the properties saying this will ensure that land meant for schools and health facilities are issued with the title deeds.
“This will also create room for further developments and expansion.”
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