Ministry of Lands staff in Siaya County are being investigated over claims of engaging in corruption following complaints from the public, area County Commissioner (CC) Michael ole Tialal has said.
Mr. Tialal said lands registries in Ugenya and Bondo sub counties were notorious of irregular deals that have seen most people, especially widows, orphans and other vulnerable members of the community lose their property to the well-connected cartels.
The CC was speaking Monday at the Siaya Agricultural Training Centre during the State of the County address by local governor, Cornel Rasanga.
“It is true there are issues in connection with land matters especially in parts of Ugenya and Bondo,” said the County Commissioner.
Tialal added that relevant government investigative agencies had been detailed to investigate the officers manning various lands sections in the county.
The CC blamed land registrars, brokers, chiefs and their assistants for running a syndicate that has made many residents lose their rightful inheritance.
Tialal said any public servant found to have colluded with unscrupulous people to disinherit widows and orphans will face the law.
Rasanga called for joint public participation forums between national and county government lands officials to assist members of the community transact land matters.
He said urgent measures were required to put a stop to the rising land disputes and urged the residents to report corrupt officials to the relevant agencies.
By Philip Onyango
