Orengo revokes deeds for grabbed public land

Lands minister James Orengo has cancelled more than 50 title deeds for public land issued to influential people by the government of former President Daniel arap Moi.

The revoked title deeds include those for government houses in prime areas in different parts of the country and land set aside for public use.

Whereas the new Constitution guarantees protection of private property under Article 40, the protection does not extend to any property that is found to have been acquired illegally according to Article 40(6).

In a Kenya Gazette Notice dated October 1, 2010, Mr Orengo revoked a total of 58 title deeds issued to powerful individuals in the Moi regime.

The notice says the plots were allocated to private developers illegally and unconstitutionally and “under the circumstances and in view of the public need and interest, the government revokes the said titles.”

The minister cancelled a total of 30 titles in Mombasa. Among the plots are 11 houses in Kizingo area, initially reserved for housing senior council officers, but which were instead sublet to six firms affiliated to Mombasa tycoon Mohamed Sajjad Rashid.

Also revoked in Mombasa are titles issued for road reserves on Tudor Road (Tom Mboya Avenue).

In Nairobi, Mr Orengo cancelled a total of 16 titles, most of them being for land that had been set aside for the Northern by-pass. The construction of the by-pass has already started.

Also revoked in Nairobi is a plot belonging to Race Course Primary School, which had been issued to a Mr Dakane Abdulahi Ali.

In Eldoret, Mr Orengo cancelled eight title deeds. One of the plots had been issued to Lima Ltd, which is associated with former minister Nicholas Biwott.

The minister also cancelled two title deeds in Nakuru.