Kajiado County land’s registry has launched new generation allotment letters with extra security features in a move aimed at curbing land fraud cases.
Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, who presided over the issuance of the new documents to residents, revealed that the new allotment letters have an extra eight security features over and above what the earlier allotment letters had to protect genuine land owners from fraudsters.
Lenku said 12,657 plot owners have acquired the new and authenticated documents after a validation process that took one year.
The 26 trading centres where plot owners were issued with the new allotment letters include: Namanga, Nkoile, Ilbissil, Rombo, Ng’atataek, Loitokitok, Isinet, Isinya, Kisaju, Enoomatasian, Orum Mashuuru.
Others are Kimana, Sholinke,Sultan Hamud,Oltepesi, Kimuka ,Saikeri,Kerarapon,Masimba, Emali, Kumpa, Olchorro,Ilasit,Inkukuon and Oloolotikoshi.
The Governor said the allotment letters will wipe away the tears of many land owners who have been agonizing over double allocation of plots or whose plots had been issued out with questionable documents.
“We are keen on protecting genuine investors and fighting unscrupulous land cartels. I am happy this process protects genuine land owners. Soon, we shall move to 50 smaller towns until all land owners are authenticated and confirmed,” he said.
The Governor revealed that several financial institutions have agreed to accept the new allotment letters as collateral for loans as they had been authenticated in a straightforward process.
“I am glad financial institutions in the County have agreed to accept the new allotment letters as collateral in their credit services. This is a great step towards using our land as a factor of production and landowners can now use their prime plots for economic activities,” he said.
Accompanied by County Assembly speaker, Johnson Osoi and several MCAs, the Governor noted that reforms being undertaken in the land’s registry would streamline the sector and end corruption and cases of double allocation of plots.
The speaker said, “The new allotment letters will help curb fraud in the land’s department and weed out unscrupulous brokers. Genuine land owners will now be sure that their property is protected as double allocation of plots will be a thing of the past.”
Lands CECM Hamilton Parseina said the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee comprising county officials, the National Land Commission and the Judiciary has been assisting in solving land cases which would otherwise be entangled in long court processes.
Solomon ole Mosari, a resident of Namanga, who received his allotment letter said he was happy with the new allotment letter and hoped that it would end constant land wrangles in the area.
Mosari said during the validation process many land owners in the area discovered that their property had been issued twice and hoped the new security features would curtail fraud.
“I am happy that the new allotment letters have extra security features. In the past you could find one plot being allocated two or three times to different people by unscrupulous land officials and brokers but this will now be a thing of the past.” he said.
Nancy Ntaama, a resident of Sholinke, said she was glad that the new allotment letter would enable her to apply for a loan at one of the financial institutions which she will use to start a business.
By Rop Janet
