Nairobi, April 3, 2023
Lands Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru today urged leaders to help resolve local disputes in their areas to enable the Department for Lands and Physical Planning to accelerate the process of issuing title deeds.
The CS spoke in the Senate on Wednesday morning when responding to questions from Senators.
The CS was called to appear in the Senate to respond to questions from Tharaka Nithi Senator Mwenda Gataya.
The Senator wanted to know what had caused the delay in demarcation, adjudication and issuing of titles to residents of Ntoroni, Thiiti, Mukothima and Turima Division, particularly parts of Ruung’u Kibunga, Tombura, Mugwi, Tunya, Kathura and Kiagu areas in Tharaka Nithi County.
CS Njeru said his ministry is very committed to see that land disputes are settled and title deeds issued in all the Counties.
The CS noted that activities such as demarcation, survey, hearing and determination of disputes cannot proceed where the affected communities are not in agreement.
He said elected leaders have a huge role in resolving disputes that delay Government processes including the issue of title deeds.
He told the Senate that he is very pleased to report that his Ministry has already started issuing title deeds in areas where the people have resolved disputes that have existed for many years.
He cited the issuance of over 5,000 title deeds to residents of Naikarra ward in Narok County on Tuesday.
The CS also informed Senators that the issue of lack of title deeds to residents of colonial villages is being addressed.
“I can assure you, things are not going to remain the same because we have 14 colonial villages we are working on and within the next financial year we shall be able to sort out some of these land problems,” Njeru told the Senate.
The CS reiterated the Ministry’s effort to work together with that of Interior and Administration of National Government within areas affected by land disputes and clashes to settle demarcation issues.
Nyandarua senator John Methu applauded the Lands CS for his commitment in solving land disputes.