Government to revive stalled settlement schemes, says CAS Mung'aro

The Government is reviving all stalled conventional and squatter settlement schemes to eradicate landlesness in Taita Taveta County, a State official has said.

Chief Administrative Secretary in the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning Gideon Mung’aro said the revival would see more than 100,000 squatters issued with title deeds this year.

Speaking during a tour of the county to address land issues yesterday, Mr Mung’aro noted that the settlement schemes had stalled since 1969 due to persistent land disputes, petty politics and lack of resources to fast-track the titling programme.

He noted that some stalled schemes only required Sh150,000 to be completed but were abandoned by successive governments.

“We are reviving more settlement schemes and adjudication areas to ensure more locals are settled. Among the stalled squatter settlement schemes are Mwanainchi, Rong’ee Juu, Chawia-Wumari Sechu and Mgeno adjudication sections. Majority of the squatters are either living on Government or private land and this must end,” stated Mr Mung’aro.

Other areas of interest include the disputed Mgeno public land, Sisingila/Majengo, Ikanga Airstrip, Voi Secondary School, Sofia informal settlement, Voi Sisal estate and Prisons land in Voi town.

“The heavy presence of squatters is a recipe for chaos. We are doing everything possible to ensure the squatter menace is adequately addressed once and for all,” he said.

The CAS paid a courtesy call on Granton Samboja in Wundanyi Town.