The Government has issued title deeds to over six thousand residents of Marsabit Central Sub-County.
National Treasury CS, Ukur Yattani, said that the freehold title deeds were processed and issued free of charge by President Uhuru’s administration to fast-track development.
Speaking at Karare Trading Centre, when he officiated the issuance of the documents to the 6,230 land owners from six adjudication areas, Mr Yattani asked the beneficiaries to put their parcels into good use and to avoid temptations to sell off their property.
The CS advised the residents to use title deeds as collateral to access credit from financial institutions such as the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC), which recently opened a branch in Marsabit town, to boost their crop and animal production.
Mr Yattani who was accompanied by Marsabit County Commissioner (CC), Paul Rotich and Land Registrar-Incharge of Upper Eastern Region, Rufus Kalama, said loans from banks could also enable holders of title deeds, to start businesses and purchase property.
He added that possession of title deeds would go a long way in addressing land related disputes that emanate from double allocation of land parcels.
Mr Yattani appealed to Marsabit residents to coexist peacefully by loving one another, their multi-ethnic composition notwithstanding.
He also called on the local political leadership, to preach peace and unity among wananchi in order to create an enabling environment for investment and development in the area.
The CS said that much effort was required to redeem the image of the county, which has largely been tainted by ethnically instigated conflicts and crime.
Mr Yattani further urged the local residents to continue supporting the government initiative to restore peace in the region, by volunteering information about crime and suspects to the relevant authorities.
The residents thanked the government for the gesture, terming it historical bearing in mind that land among the pastoralist communities, has always been communally owned.
By Sebastian Miriti
