You can’t stop land Bills, CS Fred Matiang’i tells leaders
The government will not bow to pressure from politicians opposed to the proposed land laws, Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i said Thursday.
Dr Matiang’i said he stands by the controversial Bills that have elicited opposition from governors and the National Land Commission.
“Those opposed to the laws can give their opinion to Parliament,” said the minister.
Speaking in Kimagandura in Laikipia County after meeting residents, the CS accused some politicians have been displaying political irresponsibility by inciting people and misrepresenting the true picture of the situation.
He said the land problem in the county was not as bad as it was being portrayed by politicians.
“We have consulted and as a government we will act firmly and decisively. It’s ridiculous for some leaders to describe fellow Kenyans as foreigners,” the CS said.
He spoke after meeting with squatters at the disputed 1,200-acre Lekiji and 16,000-acre Kimagandura farms in Laikipia North. He later held a closed-door meeting with local leaders at the county commissioner’s office.
About 5,392 squatters live on the disputed parcels of land.
The CS said the squatter problem would be resolved within the next three months.
He asked the squatters to form a 30-member committee to help resolve the land dispute. He said the committee would liaise with another team at the Ministry of Lands to explore ways of resolving the dispute amicably.
Dr Matiang’i said the committee would be responsible for vetting the squatters.
Local leaders have urged the government to buy the land to settle the squatters.
But the CS said Kenya was not a welfare or a socialist state to buy land for people.
He said the government could only source for funds, which could be loaned to the landless through the Settlement Fund Trustees.
He noted that while the government was keen on sorting out the squatter problem, it would always respect court decisions and not negotiate in cases where there are courts orders.
He said the sanctity of title deeds must also be upheld, adding the government would handle the land issue objectively by considering the interests of both the land owners and squatters.
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