300,000 squat on their land

At least 300,000 residents of Nandi County still lack land registration documents and currently live on their lands as squatters hence do not develop them.

Dr John Chumo, county executive in charge of lands and environment said most of the affected families are those who were living in the former white highlands and later sought settlement after the country gained independence.

He said it is unfortunate to have families living as squatters in their farms for more than 50 years.

“It is the county government’s wish to have all residents issued with title deeds to enable them develop their land. We are urging the national government to fast track the process,” Chumo said.

The county minister singled out Tinderet, Aldai and Nandi Hills regions, that were formerly white highlands, as the most affected regions.

“Majority of residents in settlement areas like Bonchoge, Chemursoi, and Chebarus among other regions cannot secure credit facilities and effectively develop their farms since they lack land documents,” said Chumo who spoke to The Standard on telephone yesterday.

He added: “Some families are living with uncertainty due to lack of title deeds that would make them participate in meaningful development of their farms and effectively transform their standard of living.”

The official further said that courtesy of the devolved system of governance, the re-settlement process is now moving much faster because of the county and national governments collective responsibility.

OPERATIONS STREAMLINED

He lauded the recent issuance of over 580 title deeds to families at Kabirer area in Tinderet at an event graced by Deputy President William Ruto.

At the same time, Chumo said operations at the county lands registry in Kapsabet have been streamlined to ease handling of all land related matters.

“The lands registry has been re-organised to curb malpractices experienced in the past when some cartels could issue fake land documents,” he said.

He also revealed that there are 33,000 land title deed documents lying uncollected at the Kapsabet lands registry and appealed to their owners to go for them.

“Some of these documents date back to 1960s, 70s to date. Their owners should go for them to avoid further accruing of fees,” he said.