[Source: Daily Nation, by Eric Matara]
The many land cases pending in courts have prompted the Nakuru County government to train mediators to help resolve the disputes and hasten the issuance of title deeds to residents.
Governor Lee Kinyanjui, in an interview with the Nation, said most land cases can be solved through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms as opposed to filing court cases. This, he said, will ensure the ongoing titling programme benefits more residents.
“The county has embarked on training officers from the county and national governments on alternative dispute resolution mechanisms to help fast-track the process. The title deed is not only proof of ownership but also a catalyst to economic empowerment as it can be used to get loans,” said Governor Kinyanjui.
The ongoing titling programme is being undertaken by the county in conjunction with the national government.
Statistics from the courts in the region indicate that at least 50 percent of cases involve land disputes and are threatening to frustrate the ambitious programme.
The mediators are expected to help resolve land disputes to ensure more residents get title deeds under the titling programme.
The Nation established that the officers include surveyors and planners.
Mr Kinyanjui said his administration, in collaboration with the Ministry of Land, targets to issue at least 100,000 title deeds.
So far, 42,000 title deeds have been processed.
Recently, the county government issued 7,000 title deeds to Naivasha residents and another 6,500 to land owners in Gilgil Sub-County.
The Nakuru titling programme is aimed at putting to rest incessant land conflicts in the county.
Some of the cases which involve double allocation of land have resulted to court cases.
There have also been disputes involving land that borders the expansive Mau Forest.
In Marioshoni and Kiptunga for instance, the government placed a caveat against parcels of land following protracted disputes.
[Full article: Daily Nation, by Eric Matara]
