President Uhuru Kenyatta revokes 500,000 acre title in Lamu

Kenya: President Uhuru Kenyatta has directed Cabinet Secretary for Lands and Environment Charity Ngilu to revoke a 500,000-acre title deed, allegedly illegally acquired by 22 entities in Lamu area, with immediate effect.

Uhuru was accompanied by Deputy President Willam Ruto, Interior CS Joseph Ole Lenku, Ngilu, Inspector General of Police David Kimaiyo when he called the Lamu leaders among them Senator Abu Chiaba and Governor Issa Timammy to State House last evening.

The leaders discussed the Government plans to enhance security, dignity and proper care for all Kenyans to live without fear.

It has emerged that 13 out of the 21 berths for the Lamu Port have also been allocated to individuals.

In his speech, the Head of State said the land was allegedly grabbed strategically for speculation purposes targeting the LAPPSET project.

The Government said it had begun a programme to issue title deeds in Lamu area last year but received shocking revelations about the illegal allocation.

“Between 2011 and 2012, 500,000 acres of public land which translates to 70 per cent of land available for settlement was allocated under dubious and corrupt circumstances,” Uhuru told a press conference at State house.

The Head of State said the allocationwas not done according to the Constitution. Uhuru said there is criminal conspiracy by individuals to frustrate the peaceful cohesion of people in the area by subjecting them to poverty.

He called upon the Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission to conduct investigations and bring to account people involved in fraudulent land transactions in Lamu without exception.

The meeting with the Lamu leaders will continues today.