Baringo county government has in the past five years issued more than 30, 000 title deeds across the seven sub counties to enable residents initiate meaningful developments, governor Stanley Kiptis has said.
Kiptis stated that issuance of the vital document was a relief to many residents whose lands had not been surveyed or mapped for decades eliciting disputes at community level.
While underscoring the tremendous progress made in land adjudication, Mr Kiptis disclosed that land adjudication and demarcation activities have been completed in Churo, Sandai, Tiloi, Kapkirwok, Chebinyiny, Ayatya and Keturwo sections.
Addressing a public meeting at National Museums grounds, Kabarnet, the county boss said with the completion of the exercise over 3,000 title deeds are set to be processed and issued.
“I am happy to note that we have surpassed our expectations and have issued over 30,000 title deeds across the county thus enabling owners to initiate development in their lands,” he applauded.
He said that they have managed to complete plot surveys in Marigat, Koriema, Chemolingot, Mogotio, Timboroa and Shauri Yako in Eldama Ravine for over 1,000 plots.
Mr Kiptis added that the exercise will be expanded to cover all towns in line with the county policy of surveying and adjudicating all lands.
He noted with satisfaction that during his reign as governor, the integrated development plan for Kabarnet Municipality and Eldama Ravine town was completed and is being implemented in line with the urban areas and Cities Act.
On water coverage, the governor noted since 2017 access to clean and safe water has increased from a paltry 24 percent to around 52 percent at the moment, a step, he stated, was a great milestone bearing in mind that the lower parts of the county have grappled with myriad disasters like drought and rising water levels of Lakes Baringo, Bogoria and 94.
He said that the water sector which his administration established a transformative agenda dubbed “Water Maji Bei” has been boosted with the services of a drilling rig procured in 2019-2020 financial year which has managed to undertake drilling, retrieval, assessment and pump testing of more than 50 boreholes so far.
“By the end of this year, we project 70 more boreholes will have been drilled and 178 water projects which are ongoing are actualized countywide,” he pledged.
He stated that the county government in collaboration with European Union, Water Trust Fund and other partners have rehabilitated and expanded Ol-Arabal water project in Baringo South to a tune of Sh 90 million which will go a long way in empowering Arabal residents and adjacent areas.
“Other water projects worth mentioning include Molok Kaptombes, Longeiwan, Lendorok, Ngasotok, Sokotei and Lorok meant to address the rampant water scarcity in the vast county which is 80 percent arid and semi-arid area”, he said.
He recognized and appreciated the efforts and support given by the Central Rift Valley Water Works Development Authority especially in relation to Chemususu and Kirandich multi-million water projects last mile connectivity which is currently ongoing and his government had committed Sh 80 million with the hope that communities will access clean water from the sustainable sources.
He lauded development partners like National Irrigation Scheme, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), ACTED Kenya, ACK Missionary Church, Farming Systems Africa, Kenya Smart Climate Agriculture Programme, World Vision Kenya amongst other organizations which have supported in improving water-based infrastructure and irrigation schemes that are aimed at improving agricultural productivity in the county.
by Benson Kelio/Joshua Kibet
