Friday, August 30, 2013
Coast leaders back 60,000 titles plan
PHOTO | PSCU President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and First Lady Margaret when they landed at Moi International Airport, Mombasa, on August 27, 2013. A plan to issue 60,000 title deeds to Coast residents has received overwhelming support from local leaders.
A plan to issue 60,000 title deeds to Coast residents has received overwhelming support from local leaders.
President Kenyatta said the move was but the beginning of a journey to find a lasting solution to the thorny land problem in the region.
The Head of State also told the leaders that the time for politics was over and the release of the title deeds was a fulfilment of the pledges he made during the campaigns — that he would tackle the land problem.
President Kenyatta, who was speaking at State House, Mombasa, noted there was no need for the government to keep the deeds in stores for him to dish out during elections.
“This is not a political matter. I was elected to serve all citizens equally. While seeking votes from the Coast during the campaigns, I promised to solve the land problems here. We are moving from land questions to land answers, and that is why I am unveiling 60,000 title deeds as the beginning of a journey to fix this thorny issue.”
With title deeds, Mr Kenyatta said, land owners would be in a position to borrow money to build permanent homes and develop their properties.
He promised Coast leaders that they would be involved in resolving the land problem in a bid to overcome suspicions and allow transparency and accountability.
He said Lands Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu’s move to fast-track the title deeds was not suspicious, noting that some of them were in stores for years while others were nearing completion.
“Coast leaders had worries that the titles’ issuance was ill-intentioned because of what used to happen in the past,” the Head of State said. “But let me assure them that the aim of my government is to solve the problems our people are having.”
The President said the government was moving with speed to resolve the land problem at the Coast and urged political leaders to stop using the issue as a bait for votes.
“Over the years, political leaders have been using the land issue to garner support from Coast residents. We are determined to end this,” he said.
Deputy President William Ruto said since the elections were over, it was time for Jubilee and Cord leaders to join forces and help address land problems in the country.
“We don’t want the land issue to be politicised since owning land is the right of every Kenyan,” Mr Ruto said.
“The reason why we lost in the region is that residents thought we had no solution,” he added.
Governors Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Ali Hassan Joho (Mombasa), John Mruttu (Taita-Taveta), Hussein Dado (Tana River), Issa Timamy (Lamu) and Salim Mvurya of Kwale, rallied behind the President’s title deeds drive.
Senators Omar Hassan (Mombasa), Boy Juma Boy (Kwale), Mvita Mshenga (nominated) and Emma Mbura (nominated) also supported the plan.
Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro and Coast Kaya political leader Peter Shehe were also in support.
Coast Parliamentary Group chairman Gideon Mung’aro and Coast Kaya political leader Peter Shehe were also in support.
Mr Kingi said Cord leaders from the region would work hand in hand with the President.
“Mr President, the election is over and you are our President. We can no longer be divided along Cord or Jubilee lines,” Mr Kingi said. “We shall support you fully,” he said.
Mr Joho said he was happy that at long last the national government had shown seriousness in solving the squatter problem.
Mr Mruttu thanked President Kenyatta, saying he would fully support the drive.
Mr Mvurya said: “This is a historic moment as President Kenyatta has unveiled title deeds after the elections. His predecessors issued deeds during election time to garner support from residents.”
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