The government has issued 1,283 title deeds to residents of Kipini East Ward, Tana River County.
The event, held in Kipini town, marked a significant milestone for the 7000 acre Kipini Settlement Scheme.
The land, bought by the government from Nairobi Ranch has 1,283 individual plots including 32 earmarked for public utilities.
In her address, Cabinet Secretary for Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development CS Alice Wahome, urged residents to value the land ownership documents and make informed decisions regarding their use.
“When you get your title, I urge you to do family consultation, don’t be in a hurry to sell the land,” she advised.
Wahome also issued 17 community land title deeds, the first of the kind in the Coast region.
The CS called on both national and county leaders to support the registration of unregistered community lands by submitting comprehensive inventories and countering misinformation surrounding the process.
“As leaders, we must play a more active role in facilitating this registration. This is about securing livelihoods, heritage, and development for communities,” she stated.
Wahome also announced plans for the construction of a modern market in Kipini under the Kenya Urban Support Program, aimed at supporting local economic activity, particularly the thriving fish trade.
She was accompanied by Secretary for Administration in the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning Mohamed Maalim, Chief Land Registrar David Nyandoro, and other senior officers from the Ministry.
Garsen MP Ali Wario welcomed the move, saying: “Kipini people have benefited in a big way. The title deeds will help resolve longstanding land disputes, many of which have been aggravated by politics. I urge the government to ensure a market is built to support the local economy.”
On his part, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana echoed the same sentiments, stating, “We are happy to have our titles today. Now we are truly entitled to our country. We’ve waited many years. We are committed to ensuring all remaining titles are issued. Any arising issues will be addressed.”
Also present during the event were former Galole MP Hassan Dukicha and several Members of County Assembly.
Besides the title deeds issuance event, the State Department for Lands and Physical Planning has outlined several initiatives for the County, including the planned purchase of 5,000 acres each in Kibusu and Kon Dertu for the resettlement of flood victims.
At the national level, the Department has issued over 223,000 title deeds in the current financial year alone, and more than one million since the current administration took office,
Additionally, full digitization of land records has been achieved in Nairobi and Murang’a through the Ardhisasa platform, with digitization work continuing in Mombasa, Isiolo, and Marsabit.
The Department has also generated over Sh13 billion in revenue this year, an achievement driven by digitization and the integration of ArdhiPay with the national eCitizen platform and management reforms.
The department emerged in the lead position in a recent ranking of State Departments in terms of All-time Transactions on the eCitizen platform.
By Catherine Muindi
