The National Lands Commission (NLC) has committed to fast-track issuance of title deeds to the Nubian Community living in Kibos area, Kisumu County.
NLC Vice Chairperson Gertrude Nguku revealed that the Commission has embarked on a process to ensure implementation of the Lands and Environment Court judgment that ruled in favor of the community regarding land ownership of the Kibos settlement scheme.
The Court sitting in Kisumu had ruled that the forceful demolition of homes by Kenya Railways Corporation that happened on February 5, 2021 violated the rights of those evicted and granted them rights to be resettled on the disputed land.
Despite the court granting them ownership of the land, the over 3500 members of the Nubian community who were affected by the evictions have continued to live as squatters on the parcel of land they claim to have inherited from their forefathers since 1936.
Nguku disclosed that NLC in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and the County Government of Kisumu have initiated the process by holding a consultative meeting to create consensus with the community members before issuing them with title deeds.
“We are here together with other stakeholders to engage the community in a public participation forum to discuss the appropriate way forward to actualize the court’s decision and identify the roles of each stakeholder in this exercise,” Nguku said during a press briefing in Kisumu.
She lamented that the process had dragged on since the different authorities who were handling the matter were operating independently.
However, the NLC Vice-Chair exuded confidence in the team comprising various technicians formed to expedite the realization of the issuance of title deeds to the complainants.
“There has been too much talking over the years about resettling the Nubians on this parcel of land. We need to move from talking to action, I’m thrilled by the many stakeholders supporting the initiative, an indicator of our commitment to make this a reality soon,” Nguku assured.
She hailed the lawyers and organizations like Haki Jamii and Kituo Cha Sheria in their quest to enlighten the community members to play a critical role in identifying people directly affected by the demolition as well as those who bear the ownership rights of the plots.
The Chairman of Kisumu Muslims Association Sheikh Musa Ismael while speaking at the same event, recalled how their homes and a mosque were demolished, and property worth millions of shillings destroyed over two years ago.
He commended the state and non-state agencies for committing to help in resettling the Nubian community in the Kibos area.
Ismael noted that having title deeds for the land will prevent other organizations or individuals from encroaching onto the land considering they will now legally own the parcel.
“Getting the deeds will make the community real owners of the land and will boost their confidence just like other Kenyans living in other areas who are in possession of their land title deeds,” he remarked.
By Robert Ojwang’
