Gov’t Wades in on Controversial 800-acre land in Vipingo
The government has launched investigations into the ownership of a controversial prime 800-acre parcel of land in Vipingo sisal plantation in Kilifi county.
Local newly appointed County Commissioner Josephant Biwot directed the status quo will remain until the government carries out thorough investigations to establish the truth.
He pointed out the national government and the county government with officials from the community have to sit down to discuss the issue of ownership of parcel of land in Kilifi south constituency.
“The main agenda of the meeting will be the whereabout of title deeds which were surrendered to the government in 2001 at Mnarani Ward, Kadzinuni village,” he stated.
Josephant added the investigations will establish the whereabout of the title deeds and why they have not been issued.
He was briefing the media at his new office after holding a closed-door meeting with both concerned parties in Kilifi town in Kilifi county.
The County Commissioner told the media they will scrutinize documents of a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU) between members of the community and Centum Investment Company owned by the late Dr Chris Kirubi aimed at addressing the perennial squatter problem within six months.
Josephant further told the media he will convene a meeting with the management of the Centum Investment Company and Ministry of Lands officials to chart the way forward to assist local residents access justice.
He added as county they respect investors but argued that as much as they do so justice for the local community has also to prevail.
“Both the investors and the community have a right to justice to create a conducive environment for investment,” he said.
READ ALSO: Bambani Kilio Blocked from Selling Lease Land in Vipingo Kilifi
The local administrator said he has organized for an urgent meeting with lands principal secretary Nixon Korir including relevant officers from the ministry and a team from the National Lands Commission [NLC] to assist in the matter.
Josephant confirmed the parliamentary committee on lands under the stewardship of Joash Nyamache has been enjoined to assist in resolving the matter.
He revealed that during their closed-door meeting the local community presented a title deed which is a subject of investigation to establish authenticity.
“The government wants to see the matter is brought to rest within the shortest time to set both parties free,” he said.
Meanwhile, tension was high as the local community pitched tent demanding those who claim ownership of the land to provide relevant documents to support their claims.
They said according to their records the lease agreement to private developers has expired and they had followed due process to reclaim ownership of their land.
They refuted claims they are squatters at the disputed land and urged those behind the sisal plantation to start re-allocating them.
At the same time three members of county of assembly [MCA] from the Kilifi county government have been summoned to appear before local Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) at Mtwapa police station to shed more light on the disputed land.
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