Squatters to settle in Mkokoni and Kiwayu
What you need to know:
- Lamu East MP Ali Athaman Sharif termed NLC’s decision to divide and allocate land to Mkokoni and Kiwayu residents as timely.
- Mr Swazuri, who visited Mkokoni on Saturday, said land problems in Lamu have generated a lot of interest and his office would ensure it is resolved.
- Residents who talked to the Nation welcomed the move by land agency.
Allocation of land to squatters at Mkokoni and Kiwayu islands in Lamu kicks off Tuesday.
National Land Commission chairman Mohammad Swazuri said the exercise will ensure all genuine squatters get land and their titles.
Mr Swazuri, who visited Mkokoni on Saturday, said land problems in Lamu have generated a lot of interest and his office would ensure it is resolved.
Dr Swazuri said the exercise will be undertaken jointly by his team from Nairobi and Lamu County leaders.
“We do not want a scenario where people from outside come and get plots while the indigenous people remain landless. We will work with the county government to ensure you get your rights,” he told the residents.
Lamu East MP Ali Athaman Sharif termed NLC’s decision to divide and allocate land to Mkokoni and Kiwayu residents as timely.
Speaking at Kiwayu on the same day, Mr Sharif applauded the commission for its efforts in solving land issues in Lamu.
The legislator promised to ensure that 75 per cent of residents obtained their title deeds by 2017.
About 80 per cent of residents in Lamu East District have no titles for the portions of land they occupy.
“I had an uphill task of dealing with Kiwayu Village as all the land there had been gazetted as a marine reserve.
BROTHERS AND SISTERS
“But I have succeeded in this and our Kiwayu brothers and sisters will soon own their land, which for many years was under control of the Kenya Wildlife Service,” Mr Sharif said.
Residents who talked to the Nation welcomed the move by land agency.
Mr Khaldoun Mahmoud Vae termed it a new dawn to the Lamu East people.
“The issue of squatters here in Lamu East has existed for long. I am happy that NLC has made this possible,” Mr Mahmoud said.
