The National Land Commission has revoked 42 title deeds for individuals who claim to own land set aside for the Kenya Wildlife Service at Kiwayu Island, Lamu East.
NLC chairman Muhammad Swazuri has directed the ownership of the lands be immediately returned to the national government for safekeeping.
He said the commission together with the Lamu government will soon conduct a survey to resettle affected residents.
“The commission is very considerate and has decided to issue affected persons with special lease permits to continue staying on the land without claiming ownership,” Swazuri said.
More than 2,000 residents live in Kiwayu, a village home to local Bajunis who fled from various places to the area following the Shifta war in the 1960s.
Lamu East MP Shariff Athman said this will bring to an end the constant wrangling between residents and the KWS.
