National Land Commission say lease on Kenyatta land intact

Kenya: Ninety nine-year leases for huge parcels of land in Taita Taveta County, including that owned by the Kenyatta family, have not expired, the National Land Commission (NLC) has said.

The commission said the fate of the land belonging to former Taita Taveta MP Basil Criticos whose lease expired in January 2013, is with the area county which is expected to make recommendations before further action.

The Kenyatta family are among the people owning land in Taita Taveta County under the controversial lease, and squatters have in the past invaded those parcels of land.

Other than the Kenyatta family, squatters have also invaded over 7,000 acres of land that belonging to Mr Criticos.

Lease renewal

Swazuri said that the lease of one of the bloc measuring 3000 acres that belong Criticos has expired but 7000 acres had not.

“The Kenyatta family’s land still has so many years to go. I’ve not looked at the file but the file of the land that belonged to Criticos whose lease had expired is with the county administration,” NLC Chairman Mohamed Swazuri told reporters at Whitesands Hotel in Mombasa.

The Kenyatta family had announced it will donated a portion of its 30,000 acre parcel to squatters in move that was seen aimed at appeasing locals, but it is not clear whether it has been done.

Prior to the 2013 election the Kenyatta family reportedly announced it will donate 4,000 acres for the settlement of squatters.

Swazuri said that Criticos had applied for the renewal to the lease of his 3000-acre parcel but his fate is yet to be decided.