A Kwale rights organisation has urged the national government to give land to Makonde and Pemba communities.
Kwale Mining Alliance officer Sabina Saiti said the two communities that were recently granted citizenship are victims of land grabbing and live like squatters.
The organisation said the government should intervene and reclaim all the grabbed lands and resettle them.
"There should be a discussion about how to resettle vulnerable groups who are victims of historical land injustices," Saiti said.
She said now that the two communities have been recognised as Kenyan citizens, they have a right to own property and justice must prevail to end their suffering.
Saiti said the government should also follow through on its promise to address historical land injustices along the 10-mile coastal strip.
The state should expedite the process of purchasing absentee land and resettling squatters, Saiti said.
She said residents should be prioritised and given title deeds during settlement.
Saiti spoke during a two-day forum on the submission of views on the sessional paper no 3 of 2009 on National Land Policy at Diani Reef Hotel in Kwale county.
The event was sponsored by Kwale Mining Alliance in partnership with Transparency International.
Saiti said they have realised that cases of land injustices are a major headache in Kwale, with private developers and unknown individuals causing significant pain to residents.
She said most areas have not been properly adjudicated, resulting in heightened land grabbing cases.
"We have found out that grabbers take advantage of the slow process of adjudication to steal land," she said.
She said land grabbing has given rise to a violation of women's rights and increased criminal gangs since the deprived youth indulge in drugs and substance abuse.
Saiti said the Ministry of Lands should form a special committee to investigate and address land injustices.
The activist said the committee must ensure all grabbed land is returned to the community.
She said there is increased dishonesty among custodians of communal lands.
Saiti said some corrupt state officers use their offices and influence to evade justice.
She said reclaimed community lands should be subdivided among residents.
The rights defender said since several mining projects are yet to take place in Kwale, the government should give proper guidelines on post-mining land use and resettlement.
"Base Titanium is almost closing down, but many other projects are coming. The state should be transparent and give directions on what will happen next," she said.
Saiti said for fairness, the government should give back land to residents who paved the way for mining activities.
She said if the government fails to plan for mineral-affected communities, a large number of squatters will emerge.
