Grabbers of public land in Mumias town have been given two weeks to leave and surrender their title deeds.
The National Land Commission (NLC) said those who did not honour the ultimatum risked being jailed for seven years or paying a fine of Sh10 million.
NLC Vice Chairperson Abigael Mbagaya said the land in question was public property and those who were allocated it were compensated by the Government.
"Those clinging to the documents have two weeks to vacate as the titles will be revoked after the ongoing review. The commission will carry out further investigations," said Ms Mbagaya.
Speaking at Nabongo grounds during the official launch of the Mumias Town Land Task Force report on Friday, Mbagaya said the commission would abide by the recommendations of a task force that had evidence that the land in Mumias town was grabbed and that people were paid money so there would be no compensation.
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Transition Authority Chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi praised the Kakamega County government for unveiling a task force to help solve land disputes that have been hindering development in Mumias.
FIVE YEARS
"The Government will implement the Mumias town Land Task Force recommendations in order to make it a modern town. Anyone found to have grabbed public land will be fined Sh10 million or be jailed for seven years," Mr Mwangi said.
Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said the public wants Mumias town developed in order to offer services envisaged between 1970 and 1973.
"Incessant land wrangles have frustrated the town's development. If the task force is implemented, I am sure Mumias will have a new look, with modern structures that will attract investors five years from now," he said.
Task force chairman Solomon Ouko said the land in Mumias town was owned by the national government as locals had been compensated.
"The county government is supposed to nullify all land allocations in the town as the process was a fraud. The task force found that the plot allocations did not follow due process because the plots were given without complying with all the regulations and the temporary structures did not show what the allottees needed to do in order to get full validation," Mr Ouko said.
The report recommends a re-planning of the entire town.
