Land board sworn in, urged to stop grabbers

Governor Abdullahi speaks during the swearing in of Wajir County Land Control Management Board.

Wajir; Kenya: Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi has vowed to protect all public land in his County to prevent mismanagement. He has in the same breath promised to correct all land anomalies done by the defunct Wajir County Council.
The Governor who was speaking during the swearing in of Wajir County Land Management Board regretted the large number of land disputes in the County. He urged the new board to be ruthless with land grabbers and do all within their power to curb the vice.
"We will protect public land by all means at our disposal and those who have invested on irregularly acquired land are better advised to recover whatever they can before it is too late," admonished Governor Abdullahi.
The County Land Management Board was sworn in by Wajir Magistrate Linus Kasan at the County Hall in Wajir town.
Commissioners and members of the National Land Commission (NLC) led by Chief Executive Officer Tom Chavangi were present during the swearing in ceremony.
Wajir becomes the first County to recruit and swear in members of County Land Management Board following the successful creation of a land development program. Governor Abdullahi said the board was recognized by Town and County Planners Association of Kenya (TCPA).
The Governor disclosed that the County Government of Wajir had already embarked on survey of land in Wajir town and its environs. He said aerial survey had been carried out in eight other towns besides Wajir.
"The seven member board is expected to help authorities manage land in the County where the natural resource has been under trusteeship since independence," said the Mr Abdullahi.
He expressed the hope that residents would get title deeds for their pieces of land soon to enable them exploit and develop them fully.