The government, through the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development, in collaboration with the County Government of Narok, has issued 2,800 title deeds to the Olosokoni group ranch in Mosiro ward, Narok East Sub County, after 12 years of waiting.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, who presided over the assurance of the crucial document pledged to eradicate land cartels in the ministry, whom she accused of reaping where they have not sown.
“When I appeared before the parliamentary committee for vetting, the major question that came up is how I will deal with the land brokers, who have dominated the department and taken advantage of possessing people’s land without following the due process,” she recalled.
Wahome asked land officials to ensure that those who acquire any piece of land, use the right process so that all the parties involved will be satisfied.
The CS further said women too have a right to own land and asked all families to involve women and youth when subdividing and selling land.
She urged the pastoralist community to take advantage of the title deeds to get loans from financial institutions and develop their land to uplift their standards of livelihood.
“Please do not be fast to sell your land and leave your family landless; take advantage of the land to benefit your family members,” she advised.
Wahome was accompanied by Narok Governor Patrick Ntutu, Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning Nixon Korir, and Narok County Commissioner Kipkech Lotiatia, among other top land officials.
Ntutu reiterated that the government had commenced the process of demarcating several parcels of land in the county so that they could enjoy land ownership like other citizens in the country.
“We have five group ranches in Loita ward, where demarcation is currently underway. We expect the process to be completed soon so that we can issue title deeds,” he said.
The governor reminded the residents that land is a basic factor of production, hence calling on residents to utilise it well to make money.
He lauded the group ranch officials for doing a credible job to demarcate the land in a fair and transparent manner, as no major complaints were raised.
Thus, all sections where demarcation is ongoing should be concluded fast so that the members can benefit from title deeds. We are confident that this is a positive thing that will boost the economy of this county,” said Ntutu.
Olsokoni Group Ranch Chairman Joseph Kisentu said the title deeds are a big blessing for the people, who have waited for over 12 years to get the critical document.
“We are grateful to the current leadership, who have given us title deeds after a long time of waiting. We have confidence that this government will deliver more development to the people,” he said.
By Ann Salaton
