Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero to issue 19,000 title deeds

Nairobi County Governor Evans Kidero addressing the press at his office. Kidero is expected to issue some 19,000 titles to Embakasi residents in an effort to stop cases of grabbing by local land-buying companies. (PHOTO: BEVERLYNE MUSILI/ STANDARD)

Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero is expected to issue some 19,000 titles to Embakasi residents in an effort to stop cases of grabbing by local land-buying companies.

The governor confirmed that 7,000 of the titles were ready. “We are in the process of finalising the remaining 12,000 and so that we can also have President Kenyatta join us during their issuance,” said Dr Kidero.

Speaking at Utawala SDA Church during a fund raiser yesterday, Kidero also lamented the escalating land issues in the county, which he said are orchestrated by both the national government and land companies. This he attributed to the slow development in the area.

In the same breath, the county boss threatened to have local land buying companies under statutory management if they do not surrender public land.

He cited Embakasi Ranch and Njiru Githunguri companies as having literary taken over land issues in the area. This has seen public land and utility spaces grabbed thereby leaving no room for the establishment of social amenities like Utawala Police Post whose construction has stalled with one of the companies claiming the land.

He has now summoned directors of Njiru Githiunguri land company to appear in his office on Monday .

“I have called the directors four times before but they have never showed up. If they fail to appear in my office on Monday they will be put under statutory management.”

This means the company’s functions and managerial operations will be fully taken over by the county.

“Most of these companies just want to stick to the land so that they can make huge profits every time there is a change of share certificate,” said Kidero.

A share certificate is what land companies issue new owners of plots on purchase as they wait to have their titles processed.

This means if you are putting up a housing development on that land, one could end up losing money because there might not be people willing to buy the houses if you do not have a title deed to it.

Currently, Kenyan law does not recognise share certificates.

He cited the latest case between the county and Kenya Defence Forces where the department is being accused of grabbing 5,000 acres in Embakasi.

Earlier, KDF is said to have made application to the defunct city council to be allocated 988 acres for a price of Sh40 million in 1997. However, the officers are said to have invaded the land and fenced 3,000 acres.

Despite Kidero petitioning the Senate and even obtaining a court order to their favour, KDF is yet to pay the county some Sh61 billion accrued over the years.

Last month, KDF fenced a further 2,000 blocking the Mihango road that serves about one million residents of Eastlands.

Some residents claimed to have been assaulted by the officers when they protested.

“I had to call the President to have the KDF remove their tankers and other weapons from the road. And on Thursday, I will be launching the construction of the road which will cost the county Sh250 million,” said Kidero.