The Boni and Sanye minority communities of Lamu have accused the county government of deliberately refusing to conduct land surveys and issue them with title deeds.
The situation has made it easy for grabbers to invade their lands.
The two communities who are mostly found in Pandanguo, Koreni, Mkunumbi, Bar’goni, Basuba, Milimani, Mararani, Mangai, Bodhai-Junction, Bahamisi, Kwasasi, Madina and Kiangwe villages all of which border the notorious Boni forest.
Speaking during an annual get together at Kiangwe village on Sunday, elders from the two communities observed that despite conducting numerous surveys on other parts of the region, the county government has somehow deliberately evaded carrying out similar exercises on their villages.
As a result, the two communities have been rendered powerless and unable to protect their ancestral lands as they lack title deeds.
Boni elder Ali Gubo said their biggest worry is that their lands might entirely disappear at the hands of grabbers if action is not taken to issue them with the deeds.
“Other parts of Lamu have been surveyed and people given title deeds. However, the county government has been dodgy about doing the same for us. We are appealing to the National Lands Commission to intervene," said Gubo.
The elders have also asked the NLC to diversify land regulations that will enable the two communities to access land rights just like other Kenyans.
Owing to previous land adjudication laws, majority of lands in Lamu have remained classified as public and undemarcated, making it impossible for anyone to lay claim of the lands.
Grabbers have found it easy to fabricate fake title deeds which they have used to frustrate residents rendering many as squatters.
“Both governments are being unfair by not helping us for all those years. It’s like they are deliberately putting us in a position where we have to keep losing our lands. This marginalisation must end," said Sanye community elder Hussein Ware.
The elders have also asked the lands commission to establish clear cut mechanisms that will be used to establish land boundaries in the areas.
In his response, Lamu County Executive member for lands Ahmed Hemed said he cannot issue a comprehensive statement on the matter as he is new in the office following the recent reshuffle.
“Allow me to familiarise myself with this office then I can give you the information you want. I am new and unable to make an informed comment right now, “said Hemed.
-Edited by Sarah Kanyara
