President Uhuru Kenyatta presents over 2,000 titles to Lamu residents

President Uhuru Kenyatta handing over title deeds to Lamu residents yesterday.

More than 2,000 landowners received title deeds yesterday as President Uhuru Kenyatta kicked off a two-day tour of Lamu County.

Residents of five Swahili villages of Mkunumbi, Mapenya, Ndambwe, Kiongwe and Nagere were issued with the titles in an exercise that will see 4,073 titles issued.

President Kenyatta is set to issue another 2,069 titles in Faza Island today.

Speaking at Mkunumbi Secondary School, the President urged the residents to use their land effectively to improve their welfare.

This comes a few days after the cancellation of titles for land totalling 353,770 acres.

Uhuru said the Government's move to revoke titles for the irregularly acquired land, which was handed over to the County Government of Lamu, was aimed at ensuring locals got enough land for development.

"The county government should plan well on how to utilise the land. There is need to set aside land for livestock keeping, farming and industrial development," President Kenyatta said.

National Land Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri disclosed that following the President's directive, 7,600 primary and secondary schools across the country had applied for title deeds that are being processed.

administrative unit

During the tour, the President announced the elevation of Mkunumbi location to a division.

On identity cards, Uhuru directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery to come up with a formula that will ensure deserving youth receive the IDs on the basis of their place of birth and not that of their parents.

"This will also help end tribalism because no one will be told to return to their indigenous home of their parents in order to get an identity card," said Uhuru.

On security, the President told residents of Mpeketoni that the Government had scaled up security in the area and asked them to co-operate with law enforcement agencies in matters security.

"I know that majority of Lamu residents are peace-loving people. Let us work together to ensure the security that we have enjoyed for years is not undermined by a few evil-minded people," Uhuru said.

The Head of State also emphasised his intention to unite the country through the Jubilee Party.

He said the goals of a united, peaceful and prosperous nation will not be achieved when the country is divided by political parties formed along tribal lines.

"That is why Deputy President William Ruto and I have resolved to bring all Kenyans together under Jubilee Party," he said.