Raila: Proposed laws will stop land reforms

CORD leaders Raila Odinga (left) and Kalonzo Musyoka when they joined investors from World Eminent Chinese Businessmen Association at a press conference at the Serena Hotel, Mombasa. The businessmen said they would donate books to the 23 school libraries they have built in Africa, 10 of which are in Kenya courtesy of the Kalonzo Musyoka Foundation. [PHOTO: COURTESY]

CORD leader Raila Odinga has urged the National Assembly to reject the proposed Community Land Bill 2015, warning it will aggravate Kenya’s land problems and weaken institutions created to solve historical land injustices if adopted.

The former Prime Minister warned that the Bill being pushed by Majority Leader in the National Assembly Aden Duale threatens to stall all reforms achieved in the land sector since the promulgation of the 2010 Constitution.

Speaking at the burial of former Bahari MP Benedict Gunda Fondo, Raila said Coast legislators should spearhead the rejection of the Bill sponsored by the Jubilee Government to safeguard their land as they seek solutions to historical land injustices.

Raila warned Coast residents against warming to the Jubilee coalition as it is unwilling to resolve  land problems at the Coast and was now enacting laws that would aggravate the squatter problem.

“Proposed laws like the Community Land Bill 2015 are very harmful to Kenyans, especially those in the Coast region who have been hit hard having been denied their rights to own land,” said the CORD leader.

Raila also warned rebellious Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro that supporting Jubilee and ditching ODM would not resolve the land problems in the region.

Raila said Mung’aro cannot expect to be re-elected by siding with Jubilee against the wishes and interests of his constituents.

“I am challenging the rebellious Mungaro to review his stand as CORD is the coalition that has the support of the people,” he said.

The ODM leader said Jubilee was unpopular in the Coast and warned local leaders not to be seduced for personal gain at the expense of those who elected them.

People’s support

Present at the burial were Governors Hassan Joho (Mombasa) and Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Senators Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi), Emma Mbura (Nominated) and MPs Gunga Mwinga (Kaloleni), Mustaffa Idd (Kilifi South), William Kamoti (Rabai), Thomas Mwandegu (Wundanyi) and Abdulswamad Nassir (Mvita).

Kilifi Woman Representative Aisha Jumwa and her Mombasa counterpart Mishi Mboko were also present.

Gunda, who died last month of illness, was buried at his home in Kizingo yesterday.

Gunda’s widow Alfeit Mumbo thanked Raila, Joho and Kingi for their support during Gunda’s hospitalisation.

Other speakers at the funeral accused some leaders from the region of   abandoning Gunda after he lost his seat in the 2013 General Election and then fell ill.

He warned that Coast residents would not forgive leaders who support the Bill.

Kingi said that the Jubilee government was determined to introduce retrogressive land laws.

“The hopes (brought by the new Constitution)  have been dashed  by the Jubilee administration that has introduced  defective land Bills,” the governor said.

He said Jubilee was unable to resolve land problems at the Coast.

 “The Jubilee administration is now fighting to ensure Coast people continue to suffer,” said Kingi.

Mwadegu urged residents to voice their objections to the proposed Bill when the National Assembly committee on lands visits the Coast region from tomorrow.

“I humbly request you to come together and make a common decision to reject the proposed and defective land Bills and save our people,” he said.