Makueni farmers given titles

Matungulu Deputy County Commissioner Patrick Mwangi issues title deeds to members of Mukamukuu Farmers Co-operative Society after their special general meeting yesterday. The Government waived stamp duty levied on title deeds following a request by the 2,000 members. [PHOTO: ERASTUS MULWA/ STANDARD]

Mukamukuu farmers' cooperative society in Matungulu Sub County has issued 700 title deeds to individual members as well as public institutions.

This followed a plea by the society's 2000 members to the Government to waive stamp duty levied on title deeds, which was granted through the Ministry of Lands.

Consequently, the giant society held a ceremony to issue the land ownership documents at Ol Donyo Sabuk, which was presided over by Matungulu Deputy County Commissioner, Patrick Mwangi.

The society's chairman George Mutiso described the issuance of title deeds as 'a major breakthrough' for hundreds of members who had been pursuing the documents for the past thirty years without success.

"This is a great achievement for our members who had been rendered squatters on their own land for the past three decades and therefore the titles we are issuing out marks a new beginning for the each of them to develop economically," said Mr Mutiso.

Apart from individual title deeds issued to members, dozens of public facilities including schools, dispensaries, churches and shopping centers have also benefited in the plan.

While issuing out the title deeds, area DC Patrick Mwangi advised members not to rush into disposing their land to private developers, but instead use the opportunity to improve their social livelihoods.