Jubilee leaders demand arrests over Lamu land

Leaders allied to the Jubilee coalition have called for the arrest and prosecution of anyone suspected of involvement in the illegal allocation of 500,000 acres of land in Lamu County to 22 companies.

Deputy President William Ruto, Senators Kithure Kindiki, Lenny Kivuti and Billow Kerrow together with MPs Muthomi Njuki, Mr Charles Njagagua and Ms Cecily Mbarire urged the government to ensure anyone named in the irregular allocation was taken to court.

Mr Ruto said those dismissing President Uhuru Kenyatta’s revocation of the title deeds as unconstitutional were either beneficiaries or friends of those who benefitted from the criminal enterprise.

Speaking at Siakago high school where he helped raise funds for the reconstruction of a dormitory, Mr Ruto said the government would repossess any grabbed land to ensure people lived in harmony.

“Any leaders who defend such criminal enterprise perpetuated by a few people don’t deserve to be leaders. They are either accomplices or culprits. What is constitutional about people sub-dividing 70 per cent of the entire county amongst themselves and their friends?

“It is clear that they are the beneficiaries together with their cronies. The irony of the whole thing is that those who are telling us that it is unconstitutional have previously accused others of being land grabbers. They have made them to look like amateurs. We will ensure any public property acquired through dubious means is repossessed,” Mr Ruto said.

Prof Kindiki said the government should deal with the suspects in the same way irrespective of the positions they hold in government.

“A thief is a thief; it doesn’t matter what religion or faith he professes. Anyone defending thieves is no different from the one who has stolen,” said the Senate majority leader.

PROTECTING LAND GRABBERS

Mr Kivuti accused Cord leader Raila Odinga of protecting land grabbers in the name of politicking. “He should not protect people who are causing misery on others. We are happy that the recent digitalisation of the lands department is bearing fruits. You cannot hide any malpractices happening there.”.

Mr Njuki said Siaya Senator James Orengo should be investigated over the role he played since he was the Lands minister when the irregular transfers were made.

“If you have been a minister of Lands in the last government, then Mr Orengo has to face the law. The government should also look into Isiolo to ensure such a thing does not happen,” he said.

Ms Mbarire challenged Mr Odinga to come clean over his defense of those who are accused of land grabbing, saying the Cord leader should state his interest in Lamu land.

“There are those defending land grabbers especially Cord Leader Raila Odinga. Can he tell us his interest in the Lamu land?”

She added: “We now know who true reformers and thieves are. We know who facilitated the irregular transfer. I’m telling President Uhuru Kenyatta to deal with the land grabbers without fear or favour.”

On the formation of the county development boards, Mr Ruto said governors should stop challenging the move as the decision was final. He said the move would enhance accountability and ensure devolution works and urged governors to stop thinking that their pwer was being usurped.

“We have allocated money to the county governments for development, and they should be accountable. Devolution is not a one-man show, it is a collective responsibility. The main aim of devolution is to ensure people participate in deciding the development projects they want to embrace,” he said.

Prof Kindiki said the board did not have executive role and was only meant to ensure leaders sit together and there was nothing unconstitutional about it.

“It is a train that left the station long time ago. Anyone who tries to stop in front of it will be crushed,” he said.

Mr Kerrow said the Senate had increased the amount of money to the counties and there was a need for enhanced oversight.

“All of us are elected by the people. We represent the people and have a mandate on the constitution for oversight and we must exercise it. It is our responsibility to criticize where things go wrong, Governors should not keep on criticizing everything. Are you an angel that you don’t want to be accountable?” he said.

Mr Ruto urged MPs to ensure large proportions of CDF go towards education related projects and at least 25 per cent go to giving bursaries to the needy bright students.

And in a statement to the Sunday Nation, Kigumo MP Jamlek Kamau asked Homa Bay Senator Otieno Kajwang’ to stop dragging former President Kibaki’s name into the Lamu fray.

“To my brother the Senator for Homa Bay Otieno Kajwang’, it’s not every day that answers are found outside the box. He just needs to ask Siaya Senator James Orengo how the half a million acres were allocated. ODM held the Lands docket in the Grand Coalition government and there is no need to bother the former President who is enjoying his retirement without the baggage of scandal,” said Mr Kamau.

In Mombasa, some leaders have supported President Uhuru Kenyatta’s move to repossess 500,000 acres of public land in Lamu County that was irregularly allocated to 22 private entities.

Labour cabinet secretary Kazungu Kambi and Kilifi senator Stewart Madzayo have thrown their weight behind the Head of State’s directive that Lands cabinet secretary Charity Ngilu repossesses the grabbed public land.

STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Mr Kambi said the government’s move was a step in the right direction to help tackle the thorny land issue in the region.

“I fully support the President for ordering the repossession of 500,000 acres of land in Lamu County which was dubiously allocated to private entities,” he said.
“This is a demonstration that the government is committed to solving the massive squatter problem and land conflicts at the Coast,” he added.

Speaking on the sidelines of a retreat for Parliamentary committees on Friday, Labour and Education at Travellers Beach Hotel, Mr Kambi praised President Kenyatta for addressing land matters in Lamu.

“The major challenge at the Coast is land, I am confident that the government will address the past land mistakes,” he said.

“I call on Coast leaders to support the President’s drive to find a lasting solution to the land problems. I am sure the land grievances will be addressed,” he added.

Kilifi senator Stewart Madzayo supported President Kenyatta’s move to repossess the 500,000 acres of public land in Lamu.

The senator called on the Head of State to name the individuals who irregularly acquired the public land to shame them.

“I appeal to the president to now name the people behind the grabbing of the public land in Lamu to shame them,” he said.

“Although Iam an ODM senator, I fully support the Head of State for directing the repossession of the public land,” he added.

Mr Madzayo said ODM leaders at the Coast would support the Jubilee government’s move to address land problems in the region.
Additional reporting BY MATHIAS RINGA
@mathiasringa
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