Kaimenyi orders issuance of Kihiu Mwiri titles to resume

The Government has said issuance of title deeds to members of the controversial Kihiu Mwiri land buying company will resume.

This comes just one day after the exercise was suspended.

Lands director Peter Kahuho said the decision to halt the suspension was arrived at after intensive consultations within the Ministry of Lands and other agencies.

Speaking to The Standard, he said Lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi ordered that issuance of the documents restart as contentious issues raised by members would be sorted out later.

Murang'a Land Registrar Nancy Njenga has been instructed to resume issuing the title deeds as from today.

The suspension order was reversed after a section of the members of the land-buying company held demonstrations.

"The Cabinet secretary has ordered resumption of the process as planned since the critical grievances aired by some members will be investigated," said Mr Kahuho.

Some of the contentious issues raised by disgruntled members included the unsolved selling of two parcels of land estimated at 80 hectares by former directors.

Another issue raised was lack of communication as some people submitted their share certificates for scrutiny, but their names were missing from those listed to get titles.

"Starting Friday, members are free to collect the title deeds from the Lands office," said Njenga.

Kakuzi MCA John Kiarie Ngugi asked the Government to tread carefully since members have patiently waited for the title deeds.

Meanwhile, Embu Nyangi Ndiiriri Council of Elders has called on the Government to shelve the issuance of title deeds for members of Mwea Land Scheme until a row over the land is resolved.

Their chairman Andrew Ireri said issuing the title deeds will be problematic since the elders and other groups have a pending court case relating to the land.

Speaking at Kairuri grounds in Embu North sub-county, Mr Ireri said the Lands ministry should allow pending court cases that relate to the land to be determined before any title deed is issued.

Last week, Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho announced the Government was ready to issue about 15,000 title deeds in the scheme after consultations with Kirinyaga, Embu, Mwea and Mbeere elders.