LAND OWNERSHIP

Prime Minister Raila Odinga has said that the proposed constitution will address inequities of land ownership and use in the country.

Speaking during the handing over of six title deeds back to the Judiciary Wednesday, Mr Odinga said that land grabbing and inequitable ownership have been systematic problems that Kenya has grappled with for generations.

While supporting an article in the proposed draft that would see Parliament put a limit to the maximum and minimum land holding in the country, the PM said the quantum for landholding would accelerate economic recovery and development of national economic stability.

“As a corrective mechanism, Article 68(c)(i) of the Draft constitution has empowered Parliament to enact legislation that prescribes the minimum and maximum land holding in the country. I believe this is a positive step,” he said.

The titles handed over to the Judiciary in the ceremony were land grabbed from Nairobi, Eldoret and Mombasa law courts. The titles had been issued to private developers but they were revoked by the Ministry of Lands and reverted back to the Judiciary.

Among the titles issued is a road reserve that would ease access to the Upper Hill Law courts, which had been grabbed by an individual.

Mr Odinga said that laws, regulations and systems touching on land should be applied transparently, equitably and consistently for the benefit of all.

He was accompanied by Lands minister James Orengo, Justice and Constitutional Affairs minister Mutula Kilonzo and Public Works minister Chris Obure. Also present were Chief Justice Evan Gicheru, Attorney General Amos Wako and Court of Appeal judge Onyango Otieno.

Mr Orengo accused former land bosses saying they were almost losing the sacred role of preserving the sanctity of title deeds by “unscrupulously casting aside principles”.

He said cases of alienation or allocation of land vested in the republic or dedicated for public purposes, was the order of the day.

“This was often done by corrupt or fraudulent practices or other irregular means to private individuals,” he said.

Mr Orengo said it was ironical that land where the “institution of justice, such as court of law, can be grabbed and matters end up in court”.

Other than the Judiciary, the Ministries of Culture and Lands have lost land to grabbers said the minister adding that the titles would be revoked.

“The original interest takes precedence, any subsequent grabbing notwithstanding,” Mr Orengo said.

One of the titles handed to Justice Gicheru is where the new courthouse stands. The new courthouse, built at a cost of Sh925 million, was initially expected to become operational by December last year, but the contractor asked for more time to complete the job.