NLC revokes nine Kwale island titles
What you need to know:
- Addressing members of the County Assembly at Lotfa Hotel in Diani on Saturday, NLC Chairman Muhammad Swazuri said the people who bought the islands were not developing them but were cutting down mangrove forests.
- Dr Swazuri said the commission was committed to ending perennial land problems among communities through dialogue instead of going to court.
- The NLC chairman said it was not easy for the commission to rectify previous errors as quickly as Kenyans wanted because there were long processes to be followed.
The National Land Commission has revoked title deeds of nine islands.
This is after it emerged that the islands in Funzi and Gazi in Msambweni Sub-County were fraudulently allocated to individuals.
Addressing members of the County Assembly at Lotfa Hotel in Diani on Saturday, NLC Chairman Muhammad Swazuri said the people who bought the islands were not developing them but were cutting down mangrove forests.
He directed land and forest officials in the county to ensure that those claiming ownership of the islands leave by Monday.
“The law is clear on the issue. It is a mistake to allocate to individuals public land, land that is on water sheds, lakes, water catchments, public water reservoirs, fish landing areas, riparian land and territory of the sea,” said Dr Swazuri.
He said any land that has mangroves should not be owned by an individual.
SAME PRIVATE DEVELOPER
Dr Swazuri also revoked the title of a 15-acre piece with mangrove trees at Vanga. It is also in the name of a private developer.
“That land should not have been allocated to anyone in the first place. We are wondering which criterion was used by the land officer to issue the title to that person. It is unacceptable,” he said.
He added that time had come for the commission to act and not to negotiate or take views from locals on land grabbing.
Dr Swazuri said the commission was committed to ending perennial land problems among communities through dialogue instead of going to court.
He asked Kwale County leadership to give hi team support and ensure all issues of land raised were resolved amicably.
“We inherited 5,000 land cases and we have been taken to court 2,000 times. That is why we are taking the dialogue route,” he said.
The NLC chairman said it was not easy for the commission to rectify previous errors as quickly as Kenyans wanted because there were long processes to be followed.
He cited the Lang’ata Road Primary School land saga, saying the issue was being blamed on commission, yet the title of the land was issued in 1972.
“Some beaches were given out in 1901 and 1908 but we are the ones taking the blame,” he said.
He appealed to leaders to give NLC support and ensure land problems in counties are solved.
