By Betty Luke
A section of Isiolo residents, who are victims of land grabbing, have appealed to the government to halt the ongoing titling process and establish the real owners of the disputed pieces of land before issuance of title deeds.
According to them, issuing titles before settling numerous land disputes particularly in Wabera and sections of Bulapesa would subject the poor to further suffering as they are likely to lose their lands.
“There are pieces of land with more than five people claiming ownership meaning if one of them is issued with a title deed, the rest who might be the genuine owners will suffer,” Ms Mary Njeri whose land was grabbed at Chechelesi said.
The group wants the government to conduct intensive probe into the matter to ensure those who get the ownership documents are the right owners of the properties.
“We urge President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and launch investigations towards establishing who are the real owners of the disputed lands to avert the suffering we have been subjected to,” said Mr John Long’orisho, another evictee.
The group lamented increasing land dispute cases that proceed to courts with majority of those affected being poor locals who lack financial capability to sustain legal redress.
They said it was sad that strangers were dispossessing them of their land that they genuinely and legally acquired and the local leaders were doing nothing about it.
Mr Paul Nkunja appealed to the leaders to intervene in finding a lasting solution.
“We wonder how a person from elsewhere comes to Isiolo to evict a bonafide resident who has been living in a particular place for more than 20 years. We appeal to the concerned authorities to intervene and address the issue once and for all,” he said.
