Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) leader Raila Odinga has once again waded into the supremacy wars pitting the National Land Commission (NLC) against the Lands ministry.
Raila told Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu to keep off community land issues and and instead allow the NLC to execute its mandate. "The Constitution is clear on community land issues. They should be dealt with by NLC," said Raila.
He was speaking during a visit to Toi market, which was razed by a fire, in Kibra constituency.
The NLC should be independent so as to work with devolved governments in resolving land issues, he said.
"The Lands ministry should give NLC space to conduct their work properly and implement the Constitution on matters concerning land," said the former Prime Minister in Kibra, yesterday.
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This sentiment comes after months of antagonism between the ministry and the Mohammed Swazuri-chaired commission, on the constitutional roles of the two bodies.
Last week, the Supreme Court directed the two to negotiate and come up with a clear resolution to avoid an unnecessary tug-of-war after a request by NLC to give direction.
The commission had put up a public notice warning of illegal land leases and alerting financial institutions on certificates of titles issued after March 1, last year. It said the certificates were not signed and sealed by the commission.
The Lands ministry responded by putting up another public notice clarifying that all matters concerning titles are exclusive to the ministry on behalf of the national government and not NLC.
electrical fault
The former premier was accompanied by Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, Kibra MP Ken Okoth and county executive officials on a tour to assess the damage caused by a fire outbreak at the market.
The fire is said to have been caused by an electrical fault. Kidero promised Sh5 million to compensate the affected residents. "We thank God because no one died or was injured. I will personally consult Kenya Power to make sure such incidents do not happen again," said Kidero.
