Cartels  behind fake title deeds are on government  radar

The  government has declared war on cartels which have been issuing fake land title deeds warning them that their days are numbered.

Lands cabinet secretary Zachariah Njeru warned those who acquire land through fraudulent means that they have no future.

He urged members of the public to assist the government  in identifying suspicious title deeds.

“I wish to send a passionate appeal to members of the public to work closely with the government to address fake title deeds in the circulation,” he said.

Njeru urged police officers to verify the authenticity of documents before rushing to execute court orders.

He was speaking during the issuance of title deeds to squatters living on a parcel of land allegedly owned by former powerful lands permanent secretary Philemon Mwaisaka held at Maandani village in Kilifi county.

The CS urged the beneficiaries of the title deed to make use of the document to be game changers in their lives.

Njeru, who was accompanied by lands Principal Secretary Nixon Korir, said the ceremony is in line with Kenya Kwanza promise of issuing title deeds once it comes to power.

He pointed out the government has issued a total of 1,200 title deeds to squatters on a controversial 161 acres of land in Kilifi county.

“The move is the first official issuance of title deeds since President William Ruto’s administration took over from the Jubilee administration after last year’s general election,’’’ he added.

The CS  disclosed out of the 161 acres of land 42 acres were issued with title deeds during a well-attended ceremony at Maweni, Mtwapa in Kilifi south constituency.

Njeru said the government is concerned with the welfare of the hustlers compared to the past regimes.

He defended the government move to start issuance of title deeds to the squatters which is overdue as testimony that Ruto’s administration is out to end the squatter menace in the country.              

“My presence at the occasion is in line with the Kenya Kwanza election campaign pledges,” he pointed out.

The CS  added the  government officials’ presence during the ceremony is a sign the administration is living up to its election pledges,” he added.

Njeru pointed out  the government through the National Lands Commission [NLC] will work to ensure the squatters’ menace is settled once and for all.

He told the local area legislator Ken Chonga who was present that the government pledges during the campaign on disputed lands has commenced.

“The national government through partnership with county governments will ensure the perennial squatter problem is sorted out once and for all,” he added.

Korir told the forum the government is out to ensure justice prevails by ensuring that squatters own land in the county.

He asked the local residents not to sell the land the government has issued them with title deeds.

“The issuance of title deeds to quarters aims at embracing their livelihood and as a game changer,” he added.

In his welcome remarks Chonga accused police officers of harassing the local residents over alleged fake title deeds.

He claimed fake title deeds are in circulation at his backyard making the local residents have sleepless nights.

“The constituents have been reduced to a cat and mouse game on genuine title deeds,” he added.

On his part, NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi urged the police to liaise with the Attorney General when issued with eviction orders from the court.

He said there is need for the police officers to consult relevant authorities before they execute the court orders.       

“The matter of the disputed land in the area is long overdue with the battle over ownership having been before the corridors of justice on historic land injustice,” he said.

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