A section of members of the troubled Kagaa Farmers’ Cooperative society in Murang’a have finally received title deeds for their allocated parcels of land.
On Friday, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome led the exercise of distributing 283 title deeds to members during an event held in Kabati area, bringing a sigh of relief and ending years of distress for the members.
The title deeds were issued to farmers who were allocated plots at block 740, which is part of the land owned by the society.
Troubles and mismanagement of the society subjected members to distress for many years occasioning the cooperative to be put under receivership.
CS Wahome said the government intervened to help the members acquire titles of parcels of the land located in Kimorori/Wempa ward.
Wahome acknowledged that the issuance of the title deeds had faced delays due to legal hurdles occasioned by disputes instituted by some members.
She reassured members’ allocated plots in the other blocks who are still waiting for their title deeds that the government is working to resolve issues and ensure the legal owners of the lands get the title deeds.
“We must resolve the pending issues in other blocks as well. The ministry of lands will coordinate with the Ministry of Cooperatives to grant the current committee-in-charge an extension period because the cooperative is under liquidation,” she assured.
“What we are doing today for Block 740 will also be done for all the other remaining blocks,” the CS assured during the occasion that was also attended by a section of local elected leaders.
Wahome also announced that the government had waived registration fees and stamp duty for the title deeds to reduce the cost beneficiaries would have incurred and urged them to clear the pending payments with the surveyor so as to finalize the process.
“The government has waived the registration and stamp duty fees for all the 283 title deeds. Instead of paying Sh. 75,000, you will pay Sh. 30,000. This is a crucial step to ensure everyone can access land ownership documents at a reduced cost,” she remarked.
About plots the cooperative owned near Kabati shopping centre, Wahome explained that there are 92 pieces left that do not have ready title deeds but assured members that efforts are in place to have the documents ready within two months.
“Block Kabati does not have ready title deeds for the 92 pieces left,” she said adding, but we are on that case, and I want to assure you that within two months, those title deeds will also be ready for issuance to every member,”.
The CS underscored government commitment in issuance of title deeds to Kenyans saying the land ownership documents paves way for development.
“We have been touring different parts of the country issuing title deeds to Kenyans and it’s my hope those who have acquired the title deeds will start developing them considering the land is at prime area,” she stated.
Meanwhile the CS urged Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) so as to access affordable medical care, cautioning them to distance themselves from those perpetuating unfounded propaganda against the health programme.
She dismissed some leaders and individuals who are against the health fund saying they are giving wrong information to residents who are in dire need for universal health care.
By Bernard Munyao and Anjaliwa Francis
