Over 450 residents of Gichagi area in Ngong town, will soon be issued with title deeds, following conclusion of a verification exercise by the Kajiado County Government in collaboration with the National Lands Commission.
Speaking during the verification exercise, the County Lands Registrar, Jonathan Museu, said this was the very final step in ensuring accuracy of the information, before the residents are finally issued with title deeds.
“During the validation exercise, we collected details of the residents, size of property, phone/ identification card numbers and issued allotment letters. In conjunction with the National Lands Commission, we are now doing a verification exercise, to ensure the information we have in the office is similar to the situation on the ground,” said Museu.
At the same time, the Kajiado County Government, is making plans to waive the requisite land rate fees, before issuance of title deeds to Gichagi residents, who are predominantly low income earners.
The Ngong Member of County Assembly (MCA), Robert Muoria, said the impending issuance of title deeds, will provide big relief to the residents, by providing them with legal ownership of their land.
He said the issuance of title deeds will facilitate implementation of other development projects in the area.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta launched the exercise of issuance of title deeds to Kenyans who have lived on this land for long time without valid document, but finally the problem is coming to an end. Lack of clear boundaries, made it difficult to plan where to build roads and schools,” said Muoria.
According to Gichagi area Nyumba Kumi Chairman, Stephen Macharia, residents set to be allocated title deeds have been living in the area for over 40 years, without title deeds to enable them lay claim to ownership of the land.
“They have lived on this land since 1960 without subdivision or title deeds to show ownership. In the year 1991, we received allotment letters. Lack of title deeds has been a challenge for the residents because there was always fear of eviction,” said Macharia.
Meanwhile, Gichagi residents now anticipate to receive title deeds by end of July 2022, after a successful validation exercise conducted in the entire Kajiado County.
By Alice Gworo
