The Government has embarked on an ambitious plan to resolve perennial land problems in Lamu and pave the way for the growth of the county.
Lands, Housing and Urban Development CS Zachariah Njeru says the government has prioritised the resolution of issues emanating from land grabbing, landlessness and squatters in the county.
He said some 3,000 affordable housing units will be constructed in the county as part of efforts to resolve the problem.
“There is a lot of political goodwill especially from President William Ruto in seeing that a resolution is arrived at to ensure that land issues stemming from land invasions, landlessness and the squatter problem is resolved in Lamu,” the CS said.
He spoke on Friday after holding consultations with elected leaders and residents of Mokowe while concluding his two-day visit of Lamu County.
The leaders included Lamu Governor Issa Timamy, MPs Stanley Muthama (Lamu West), Ruweida Obo (Lamu East), Woman Rep Monica Marubu and Nominated Senator Shakila Abdalla.
The CS held meetings with residents in several locations including Witu and Hindi with a view to establishing a framework that will address land management challenges in the county.
Njeru said Government's intervention is aimed at positioning Lamu as an attractive business hub in readiness for the investments that the Lamu Port will attract.
“In resolving the land issues in Lamu, the county will signal that it is committed to attracting investors as well as complimenting national government’s agenda on affordable housing by constructing 3,000 units,” he said.
The CS said the envisioned growth of Lamu County courtesy of the Lamu Port, coupled with plans to build special economic zones in the LAPSSET corridor calls for measures to resolve land issues in the county so that investors can come in without fear of losing out in future.
To this end, CS Njeru directed Department of Lands and Physical Planning officials in Lamu County to perform their duties diligently and fairly especially in the issuance of land titles.
He further called on politicians and other local leaders to work together objectively in resolving existing land issues.
Njeru said the National government is set to complete the digitisation of land records by 2024 in a bid to streamline land management within the country.
Governor Timamy said his administration is committed to addressing the land problem in Lamu County considering that land is a devolved function.
“The resolution for land problems will eventually come from the County Government since we are the ones who are closest to the affected mwananchi,” he said.
Marubu urged the National and County Government to fast track land management solutions that will aid in fostering peace in the county.
Abdalla called on all leaders to come up with honest solutions when debating the land issue.
“Land issues are very emotive and it’s high time leaders came together to debate about honest solutions that will address the squatter problem that has plagued indigenous communities for decades" she said.
Lamu County Assembly Speaker Azahar Mbarak said the assembly will work with the county executive in addressing the land issues and ensure the plight of the landless is addressed.
Muthama asked the local leaders to trust that the National Government and the Ministry of Lands will come up with a lasting solution aimed at tackling landlessness in Lamu County.
