This archive report was first published on 13 July 2021.
July 13, 2021 - Murang'a, Kenya - A tense standoff between police officers and journalists unfolded at the Murang'a lands office yesterday, highlighting the deep-seated issues plaguing the local land registry.
According to eyewitnesses, the drama began when police officers stormed into the office, claiming they had received a call from a staff member alleging that 'unknown people' were filming the premises.
However, the officers quickly retreated after the journalists explained their mission to them, which was to investigate the numerous complaints from residents about the slow service delivery at the office.
Residents, who had been waiting in line for hours, shared their frustrating experiences with the Nyakundi Report. Kamau Gichia from Mugoiri Kahuro said he had been seeking a title deed for his parcel of land for the past five years, only to be told every time that there was an error that needed to be rectified.
'A procedure which usually takes a month is taking years to be concluded and this is very frustrating,' Kamau said.
James Wainaina from Kigumo claimed that an unknown person had put a caveat on his parcel of land, and despite his efforts to have it lifted, he had been met with resistance from the office staff.
'I don’t know what is so hard to get the name of this person because I am the sole inheritor of the land,' he said.
Nahashon Mbogo alleged that cartels had taken over the running of the operations at the office, and that anyone visiting there was required to part with some cash to get the service.
'The brokers collude with officers inside the office and they ask for money for one to be assisted in getting services,' he said.
Kenneth Maguta claimed that he had several title deeds which were yet to be processed, and that this had made him delay establishing his projects.
'A lot of people come here but they go back home frustrated because they don’t get served and they have to make numerous visits before being assisted,' he said.
Maguta called upon the cabinet secretary for lands, Farida Karoney, to intervene and streamline the operations in this registry.
