‘Buy Land From Absentee Landlords And Resettle Squatters,’: Kilifi Leaders Tell Gov’t

KILIFI,Kenya, Jan, 29 – Hundreds of thousands of acres of land lay ‘idle’ across Kilifi county despite thousands of residents living as squatters. Area leaders rare resolving to have the national government purchase the land from absentee landlords in order to address the age old issue.

Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi while issuing 474 land allotment letters to squatters at Chumani trading centre in Kilifi North Sub County said that it was time to resettle them after numerous attempts failed in the past.

The allotment letters will serve as provisional titles deeds  as the main title deeds are being processed by the National Land Commission (NLC).

“The department of lands will ensure that the title deeds will be issued, the first step is the letter of allotment followed by ratification by the NLC then the production of titles,” he said.

Residents have meanwhile been urged not to sell their land needlessly after it was revealed that scores sold theirs, particularly some squatters years after being resettled an issued with title deeds.

They are said to have sold their land at throw-away prices before then squatting on other land considered to be ‘idle’.

Already the county government is spearheading resettlement efforts in the county for residents that have lived as squatters for years.

“We have surveyed several lands in the area and the papers are with the NLC. The government should set up a fund that will be mandated to buy land from absentee landlords,” he said.