The Kenya Landowners Association has added its voice on the raging debate over the draft National Land Policy.

Chairman Chris Kiprop Foot said in a statement the draft did not reflect wishes of Kenyans but that of foreign funded NGOs.

"The proposed policy in its current form is virtually identical to the chapter on land in the draft constitution that Kenyans rejected in the 2005 referendum. There is the need to make the proposed land policy more equitable and constitutional," he said.

The concerns of the landowners came just days after a section of Rift Valley MPs including Cabinet ministers vowed to shoot down the draft land policy in Parliament.

They said 87 per cent of Kenyans were not aware of any process leading to the formulation of the draft policy.

"The policy will radically impact on their property rights and livelihoods yet it was almost entirely drafted by NGOs and not the private landowner," said Mr Foot.

They urged the Swedish Aid Agency, the main financier of the draft policy, to allow Kenyans to come up with solutions to their problems.

Earlier, former President Moi criticised the Ministry of Lands for what he called "outsourcing land policy making responsibilities to NGOs".

Land dispute

Meanwhile, a boy was allegedly beaten to death and his sister admitted to hospital after a land dispute in Shimba Hills turned tragic at Msambweni. The child aged two and-a-half was buried yesterday at Kabia Village in Majimboni. His sister was taken to Msambweni District Hospital for treatment.

Mr Hari Kabi, a local volunteer children’s officer, said Njoroge Kamau met his death after a 25-year-old man, allegedly hit him on the head with a wooden plank.

The deceased’s father, Mr Kamau Mwangi, had bought the piece of land from the assailant’s father prompting the man to differ with the two over boundaries.

Kwale Deputy OCPD Joseck Mwachia said police had arrested the suspect who would be charged after investigation is complete.

 

 

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