Kaimenyi issues out 86,000 title deeds

Lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi dances with Machakos County Governor Dr Alfred Mutua during the issuance of the 86,500 title deeds to the residents of Machakos at Kenyatta stadium in Machakos on 3rd May, 2016. (PHOTO: JOHN MUIA/ STANDARD)

The Ministry of Lands yesterday officially announced the disbursement of 86,200 title deeds to the residents of Machakos County.

This is the first batch of the 200,000 titles that will be issued in Ukambani. Machakos County will get the highest number of titles followed by Kitui County (41,000) and Mwingi (24,000).

Speaking at Kenyatta Stadium in Machakos, Lands Cabinet Secretary Jacob Kaimenyi called on the beneficiaries to liaise with respective lands offices in the area to collect the documents.

Prof Kaimenyi, who was accompanied by the Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua, lashed out at those spreading lies that the title deeds are fake.

"How can a whole Government issue fake official documents to its people?" he asked and warned politicians to weigh their words before addressing the public.

Several residents were issued with the titles at a brief ceremony that was also attended by Machakos County Commissioner Matilda Sakwa.

The Cabinet secretary said his ministry plans to hand out at least 4.2 million titles deeds by the year 2017.

He said despite a few hitches surrounding the lands offices on cases of lost files, the initiative will be a success.

evil practice

He warned all lands registry officials that incompetence and corruption will not be allowed to affect the process.

"Such an evil practice should be a thing of the past since no single officer will be spared if caught messing up with the process," he said.

Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua hit out at those who have criticised his recent visit to State House.

"Such people should be ashamed of themselves for criticising us for going to State House where we got these title deeds, among other development projects" he said.

But Yatta MP Francis Mwangangi, who accompanied Kaimenyi during the issuance of title deeds in Matuu, commended the Jubilee government for its development efforts in Ukambani and especially in his constituency where it has funded the construction of the Yatta canal and the Yatta dam at a cost of more than Sh6 billion.

He cautioned the residents against selling their land cheaply now that they have received the title deeds and advised them to instead use the documents to borrow money from banks.

Mr Mwangangi vowed to continue working with the Jubilee government for the sake of development of his people.

Mr Kaimenyi also issued out title deeds in Tala, Matungulu Sub-County.