Lamu land firms had no ministry approval

Intrigues in the allocation of 500,000 acres of land in Lamu deepened on Tuesday as it emerged that some companies listed as beneficiaries did not have development plans approved by the Ministry of Lands.

An official in the ministry told the National Land Commission in Nairobi he wondered how the companies got title deeds when the ministry did not have records of their part development plans (PDPs) which are a requirement.

Director of Physical Planning Augustine Masinde said Savanah Fresh Fruits Exporters, Rusken International, Dynamic Company Limited, Brick Investment and Lamu and Tana River Sugar Company did not have valid PDPs.

“Although the firms have land registration numbers and deed plans, they did not have PDPs drawn and approved by the Department of Physical Planning.

“The law requires that the department must organise public land use, assign and designate specific users which form the basis for allocation and if these are missing then the title is null and void,” said Mr Masinde.

This was the first time senior ministry officials have appeared before the team to try and shed light on the saga after President Uhuru Kenyatta directed that the land be retrieved.

The hearings were shifted from Lamu to Nairobi after intelligence reports revealed plans to disrupt them.

Principal Secretary Mariamu Elmaawy told the commission the ministry would provide the necessary help to solve the mystery surrounding the allocations.