Land adjudication along the Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport (Lapsset) corridor in Meru County has suffered a setback after residents disowned the process.
Tigania East residents who said they had lost trust in the adjudication process demanded the for removal of adjudication officers and disbandment of land committees.
Led by area MP Josphat Gichunge, the residents in a charged stakeholders meeting at Muriri said they had lost trust in the land adjudication process.
The MP said the expected Lapsset and Sh6.9 billion wind power project by KenGen had fueled a scramble for land in the vast region.
“We want the adjudication process to be halted because of irregularities. Many parcels are claimed by up to five people and it is not clear who will get the title,” Mr. Gichunge said.
He said the value of land in the area had gained because of expected projects in the area.
“Land prices have risen because of the expected KenGen wind power project. We have a situation where the rich are robbing the poor of their land. That is why we want land officers to be transferred, said Mr. Gichunge.
Speaking at Muriri when he issued Sh36.5 million worth of bursaries, the lawmaker also asked the land committees be reconstituted.
“The process of land adjudication is not transparent and it worries us. That is why residents have asked the land committees and land officers be removed and new ones formed in a participatory process,” he said.
Gichunge, who was flanked by community leader Mike Makarena and Njuri Ncheke elders, said residents had waited for titles for long and there was the need to have a transparent land adjudication process.
“We want elders and other stakeholders to be involved in identifying the true owners of the land. The rich have invaded this area because of the expected mega projects. We are crying to the ministry of lands and security agencies to protect the poor,” Gichunge added.
He said the poor families had waited for titles for a long time but new faces had invaded the area with the aim of securing chunks of land, expecting to compensation money when they surrender it for Lapsset and KenGen projects.
Mr. Makarena said as leaders they will resist any attempt to deprive the true owners of the land the title deeds.
