As the Departmental Committee on Environment, Forestry and Mining considers a proposal to de-gazette the Shiru and Shaviranga areas of the Kakamega forest land, residents have appealed for MPs’ intervention in ensuring that they are issued with Title Deeds to legitimize their ownership.
A delegation of the Committee, led by Vice Chairperson Hon. Charles Kamuren MP,(Baringo South) today undertook an inspection visit of the forest land, and engaged the residents on their perceptions of the government’s intention to formalize long-standing settlement issues.
The proposal by the State Department of Forestry targets 94.99 hectares in the Shiru area and 36 hectares in the Shaviringa area of Kakamega Forest. Land, which the current residents have occupied for the last fourty years and are now seeking formal recognition as its legitimate owners.
“Procedures necessary for compulsory acquisition of land were not followed and we continue to occupy land that does not belong to us, despite efforts to legitimately own the parcels.” Said Fredrick Igunza, the chairman of the Settlement Scheme Members’ Association.
Appealing to MPs to hasten the speed of approving the proposed de-gazettement, the residents have cited several challenges of illegitimate occupancy, among them: inability to construct social amenities like schools and hospitals, as well as hardships to in resolving boundary disputes.
While acknowledging the potential bottlenecks in seeing the proposal through, Hon. Kamuren assured the residents that the Committee shall take into great consideration their plight as expressed, and recommend proper resolutions to the House for adoption.
Hon. Beatrice Kemei told the residents that as the people’s representatives, the MPs are mandated to protect the citizens’ interests in such scenarios, emphasizing that the issuance of ownership documents is long-overdue.
“We have seen a settlement scheme here and not a forest. Fortunately, it’s our duty to do the right thing, and ensure that every Kenyan gets land that is rightfully theirs.” She stated.
Area MP Hon. Charles Gimose decried the prolonged period within which the community has sought legitimacy in vain.
“I have followed up on this matter for far too many years and my appeal is for the National Assembly to approve this petition and give these people land that they can legitimately call home.”He said.
The initiative through a petition to Parliament by the Principal Secretary of Forestry Gitonga Mugambi, if approved by the National Assembly; aims to resolve land disputes, formalize settlements that have existed since the 1980s, and issue title deeds to residents.
By Anthony Solly
