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Lands CS Charity Ngilu warns firms against corrupt deals
What you need to know:
- According to her, unscrupulous companies are to blame for the increase in land fraud cases.
- She also blamed cartels for the menace and said police should arrest those involved.
- The minister urged the public to be patient and allow an audit team to streamline operations in the Lands offices around the country.
Companies that buy land should refrain from issuing multiple title deeds or face the law, Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu has warned.
The CS said she will convene a meeting with management officials of all land-buying firms, particularly in Kiambu and Murang’a counties.
Mrs Ngilu was speaking when she made a surprise visit to the Lands registration office in Thika on Monday.
According to her, unscrupulous companies are to blame for the increase in land fraud cases. (READ: Ministry, judges on the spot over 5,000 land cases)
“Cases of land buying companies issuing multiple papers for the same parcel has been a big headache and has led to confusion and endless litigation,” Mrs Ngilu said.
DECISIVE ACTION
However, chairman of the Githunguri Ranching Company Ltd John Maina said cases of land theft are perpetrated by corrupt registration officials who collude with brokers.
Mr Maina urged the ministry to investigate the said officials. “The government should deal firmly with its officers if the mess in land offices is to be done away with.”
Earlier, the CS said she had received many complaints about the Thika Lands office and vowed to take decisive action.
Mrs Ngilu said the government will carry out a clean-up exercise in all land registries to weed out cases of fraud and double issuance of title deeds.
She also blamed cartels for the menace and said police should arrest those involved.
The minister urged the public to be patient and allow an audit team to streamline operations in the Lands offices around the country.
