Matiang’i overstepping his mandate, says Governor Nkedianye over land transaction ban

Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye

The war of words between acting Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Kajiado Governor David Nkedianye escalated, with the county boss accusing the CS of overstepping his mandate on land matters, contrary to the Constitution and spirit of devolution.

The confrontation between the national government’s Ministry of Lands and Kajiado County administration started when Mr Matiang’i trashed the land transaction ban imposed by the county government.

Last Friday, while visiting the Kajiado land registry, the CS categorically said land deals should go on as usual and that no one had powers to freeze or prohibit them.

But addressing a public meeting at Ol-Tinka in Kajiado West sub-county yesterday, Mr Nkedianye said land matters were sensitive and accused Matiang’i of venturing into areas outside his mandate.

“CS Matiang’i should know his responsibilities don’t include traversing the county issuing statements touching negatively on already aggrieved residents,” warned Nkedianye.

The county chief said Matiang’i ought to tidy up the Kajiado Land Registry, currently riddled with corruption, challenging him to assure residents that their land would not be sold without their consent.

“Let him clear the mess in the land registries in Kajiado and Ngong. He should fire corrupt officers and ensure residents won’t lose their green cards any more,” said the governor.

TIDYING UP

Nkedianye said the Constitution stipulates that both levels of government should consult but that the CS was only giving directives.

He further said the land-transactions ban would remain in place until such a time as the registry would be in order with updated maps and a graft-free digitised system.

“Residents have been up in arms over dubious deals associated with the land registry, where both communal and private lands are alleged to have been interfered with by unscrupulous officials,” noted the county chief.

County Assembly Deputy Speaker George Sunkuiya urged the national government to consult widely with the county administration on land issues.

Meanwhile, a leadership tussle is brewing between two rival factions of the Mailwa Group Ranch that owns 64,000 hectares of land.

Following the tussle, the government has ordered repeat elections at the ranch, whose outcome was contested by allegations of irregularities and rigging.

Disgruntled members of the losing group are accusing their counterparts of using force to cling to power.

Soon after the announcement of the election last week, some members protested at how the poll was conducted, saying they were not happy with the results.