MPs disagree on resettling Kenyans living in Uganda

Two Trans Nzoia MPs have differed over the way the National Land Commission should address historical injustices in the region.

Endebess MP Robert Pukose says a proposed Bill that seeks to address the injustices should also allow Kenyans who fled to Uganda during colonial times to be resettled.

“There are Kenyans in Uganda who fled in the colonial era,” Mr Pukose told a land forum in Kitale.

However, Kwanza MP Ferdinand Wanyonyi said he would fight moves to bring landless people from elsewhere when there were squatters in the region. “We will reject any move to settle anybody from outside this region,” said Mr Wanyonyi.

The legislators also differed over the independence of the National land commission with Mr Pukose defending land cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu from allegations by the leaders that she was interfering with the functions of the Commission.

“There is no mistake which she has done because the commission is managing land affairs on behalf of the government and therefore reports to the land ministry,’ said Mr Pukose.

MICRO-MANAGING

“The government should let the commission to carry out its duties without micro-managing it. We are totally opposed to this,” Mr Wanyonyi said.

The Kwanza MP also proposed that the National land Commission to name and shame influential people from the region that have grabbed public land and be held accountable.

“We want those behind the grabbing of land belonging to KARI and KEPHIS parastatals to be made known and be compelled to account for their vices,” said Mr Wanyonyi.

Area senator Henry Ole Ndiema called on the National Land Commission to reduce charges attached to land documentation saying they were hampering the acquisition of title deeds by locals.

“The charges in the processing of land documents are so high. This is the reason most locals in this region don’t have title deeds,’ said Senator Ndiema.