Clashes and killings over land ownership must stop, says Deputy President William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto says the Government has moved swiftly to contain conflicts over land ownership in some parts the country.

Mr. Ruto expressed concern over increasing cases of land conflicts citing the troubled Kihiu Mwiri land buying company in Muranga County where eight directors have been killed in less than two years.

The Deputy President said survey work would be carried out on all lands in the country with a view to issuing title deeds to their owners as the only way to stem conflicts over land ownership.

“We have already dispatched a team of surveyors to Kitale, Uasin-Gishu Nandi and Muranga Counties among other areas to carry out survey on all lands so that title deeds can be issued to their owners,” he said.

He said relevant Government agencies have been asked to do everything possible to get the root cause of the controversies surrounding the troubled Kihiu Mwiri land buying company so as to solve the problem once and for all.

“This clashes and even killings over land ownership must come to an end,” said Mr. Ruto.

The Deputy President said elders were well placed to deal with land matters noting that they well understand issues pertaining to lands ownership.

“Lets discourage the culture of rushing cases to court because they drag for long time before they are solved. Elders are well placed to deal with such cases because they well understand land dynamics,” he said.

The Deputy President at the same time challenged youths not to rely on white-collar jobs, which were scarce and instead make use of their hands to engage in farming and business activities among other income generating projects.

 ‘’White-collar jobs are good but they are becoming scarce. Let’s make use of our hands and engage in business, farming among other income generating activities,’’ said Mr. Ruto.

He added: “We should not discriminate against some jobs. If you are good in something, you must exploit it to the maximum so as to uplift your living standards.”

Mr. Ruto said plans to construct brand new referral hospital in Eldoret town were on noting that 200 acres have already been set aside for the project.

The Deputy President urged MPs to ensure 80-90 percent of the total money allocated for Constituency Development Fund (CDF) was used for the development of education.

“MPs should ensure majority of CDF money they receive go towards the development of education so that county and national governments concentrate on the development of health, infrastructure among other development projects,” he said.

Uasin-Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago praised the Jubilee administration for its commitment to reducing the cost of electricity to enable many Kenyans gets access to power.

“We must appreciate the efforts by the Government to reduce the cost of electricity and especially the connection fee which has allowed many Kenyans connect electricity to their rural homes,” said Mr. Mandago.

MPs who accompanied the Deputy President included James Bett (Kesses), Ferdinand Waititu (Kabete), Rachel Shebesh (Nairobi), John Waluke (Sirisia), Oscar Sudi (Kapseret), Peter Shehe (Ganze), Beatrice Alachi (nominated), Cornelly Serem (Aldai), Alfred Keter (Nandi Hills), Jones Mlolwa (Voi), Christine Ombaka (Siaya) and Samuel Chepkonga (Ainabkoi).

Mr. Waluke who is an ODM MP said he would continue to support the Government in implementing its development projects across the country.

“I want to make it clear that some of us are from different political parties but nothing will stop us from supporting this Government in service delivery to Kenyans,” said Mr. Waluke.

Mr. Waititu said all affiliate parties of Jubilee have come together to embrace Jubilee Alliance Party (JAP) ahead of the next general election.

“We will not have TNA or URP come the next election. All of us will support President Uhuru Kenyatta and Deputy President Ruto under JAP,” said Mr. Waititu.