Former head of Public Service Francis Kimemia ‘ordered signing of Lamu titles’

Former Land Minister James Orengo

Former Lands Minister James Orengo, approved the release of title deeds belonging to the controversial 22 entities in Lamu County under the instructions of former head of Public Service Francis Kimemia.

Making the revelation before the National Land Commission (NLC) yesterday, former Lands Commissioner Zablon Mabea said Mr Kimemia, through a signed letter, instructed Mr Orengo, now the Siaya Senator, to fast-track the issuance of the title deeds.

Mr Mabea made the allegations when he appeared before the commission to shed more light on the matter.

“In this particular case, the minister cleared it (issuance of title deeds) because there was some urgency in doing it. There was also a letter that came from the Office of the President saying that the  title deeds be processed and issued.

That informed the officers to act in the way they did,” Mebea told the commissioners. “There are letters done by the minister and memos, which informed the allocations,” he added.

The commission took Mabea to task and wanted to know if he was involved in the signing of title deeds of the 22 ranches that have since been revoked.

He admitted to have signed some of them but could not categorically pick out on the exact number.

He explained that in the 1970s, the entire Lamu mainland was turned to a ranching scheme by the then Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock. The allocation of ranches, he said, were done on a 45-year-term lease agreement basing on recommendation from the District Land Commissioners.

The former Lands boss maintained that due process was followed during the allocation and exonerated himself from blame.

Grabbed land

This comes even after former NLC vice-chair Peter Kahuho, revealed that he could not trace the allocation files.

Orengo, who has since recorded statements over the matter, has publicly denied any involvement in the illegal allocations.

Affected companies in the saga include Rusken International Limited, Mat International, Witu Nyangoro Company, Witu Conservative Self-help Group, Shanghai Investment Limited, Fincorp Investments Limited, Kaab Investments and Sheila Ranch Limited.

Others are Dynamic Trading Company Limited, Savannah Fresh Fruits Exports, Mokowe Kibokoni Ranch Limited, Panda Nguo Boni Community and Baragoni Boni Community. Cyberdom Investments, Baragoni Ranch, Enganani Ranch, Amu Ranch and Maalim Ranch were registered as ranches.

An audit by the Ministry of Lands also indicated that most of the land was grabbed between April 2012 and November 2012.

The mystery to the alleged fraudulent allocation of the said Government entities deepens as the commission continues to probe responsible officers.

Among those who have appeared before NLC committee for grilling are directors of the companies that allegedly benefited from the Lamu allocations.