Swazuri hands 2,544 acres to squatters

Kwale, Kenya: Leases on four farms in Kwale County issued by the British colonial government have expired and will not be renewed, the National Land Commission (NLC) has said.

The 99-year leases expired between 2008 and last year. NLC yesterday announced that the 2,544-acre farms will be given to thousands of squatters who live there.

The four are Block 11 Kwale/Tiwi which is 167.5 acres, Block12 Kwale/Tiwi (167 acres), Block 18 Kwale/Tiwi from Kombani junction (710 acres) and the 1,500-acre Venji Parbal farm in Vanga.

The said land was leased in 1914 following the enactment of the 1908 Land Ordinance Act in the House of Commons in London, which created the first title deeds in Kenya and dispossessed Africans who were not schooled in the land statutes.

Making the revelations in the presence of Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya yesterday, NLC Chairman Mohammed Swazuri said blocks 11 and 12 were heavily occupied, adding that the commission will place a notice in the Kenyan gazette within three weeks on the change of ownership.

Both Block 11 and 12 were initially leased to Liadhar Kakad, Navaida Chotai and Chanlala Lakhan while Block 18 is owned by one J.H.Gidomal, according to records.

Swazuri said a plot selection committee to be chaired by the sub-county administrator will be formed to identify genuine beneficiaries.

“The beneficiaries should also note that according to the law, the land given to them under the settlement scheme cannot be sold but only inherited. The purpose of settling them is for them to have documents of ownership that can help them get loans,” said Swazuri. He said NLC has a budget that will help fast-track surveying and settlement.

Governor Mvurya said his government has set aside Sh40 million to settle squatters, adding that expired leases will not be renewed.