We consulted on Bills, says Matiang’i

Acting Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i has dismissed claims that governors and the National Lands Commission were not consulted in the drafting of three contentious Bills, currently before a Parliamentary committee.

Dr Matiang’i dismissed accusations by both the county chiefs and the commission that the Physical Planning Bill 2015, Land Laws (Amendment) Bill 2015 and Community Land Bill 2015, were formulated without their involvement.

“Nobody should insinuate that we did not consult. We have documents showing that they were involved from the onset of the framework of the bills,” he said.

Dr Matiang’i said the issue should not be politicised, adding that the Bills were discussed in various forums and several stakeholders, including counties, state agencies and the cabinet were involved.

Dr Matiang’i urged those opposed to the Bills to bring their memoranda to the National Assembly as consultations were still ongoing.

He spoke as the NLC chairman Mohammad Swazuri argued that the National Land Policy, which addresses historical injustices, was facing opposition from the lands ministry.

He said yesterday that the Commission had formulated a Bill that would be a stand-alone law to help secure justice for all victims of historical injustices.

“If passed, the law will deliver justice to all the victims of historical injustices but the major problem we are facing right now is opposition from the Ministry of Lands. We shall be seeking support from the citizens on the Bill,” said the NLC boss.

Dr Swazuri said that, if passed, the Bill would enable the commission to trace people that were treated unfairly in land allocation.

He was speaking during the presentation of a report by Kalimbula Investment Squatters Company, whose members have been identified as having suffered historical injustices in the acquisition of land in Mau East from the government.