This archive report was first published on 3 August 2019.
On Wednesday, residents of Maji ya Chumvi in Kwale County took to the streets to protest the issuance of title deeds on a 60,000-acre land. The residents, who are from Kinango, have rejected the 500 title deeds issued to them, citing irregularities in the process.
According to the Coast Regional Commissioner, John Elungata, an audit of the title deeds had revealed that 70 had been issued irregularly and had been revoked. However, the residents are demanding a fresh audit of the title deeds and the beneficiaries of the land, saying the initial exercise was shrouded in secrecy.
Religious leaders and politicians are backing the residents' demand for an independent audit. Rev. Fredrick Kanato of the East Africa Pentecostal Church Samburu Parish said, “The beneficiaries ought to be vetted afresh and all stakeholders involved to make the exercise transparent. It is a sensitive issue that must be handled with care.”
The Lands Cabinet Secretary, Farida Karoney, had earlier told residents that the title deeds for those allocated land in the controversial parcel were ready and would be distributed this month.
