Lamu squatters yesterday pleaded with the county government and the National Land Commission to hasten adjudication and issue title deeds to suffering residents. Most parcels have not been demarcated or allocated title deeds, making land disputes common.
The squatters said they face agony at the hands of developers. Lamu has many squatters, especially in Hindi, Mokowe, Kwasasi, Lamu and Mpeketoni. The areas have recorded numerous disputes over land grabs and illegal evictions.
They accused developers of targeting their parcels bordering mega national project sites. These include the Sh 2.5 trillion Lapsset land in Kililana, the Sh 200 billion proposed coal-powered electricity plant in Hindi and the Sh 21 billion wind power project in Baharini. The grabbers present fake titles and court orders and eject genuine landowners, the residents said.
They urged the National Land Commission to issue titles so they have a legal foundation on which to defend their property.
The county administration says it intends to end the perennial outcries. It has launched a land survey covering Witu, Kiongwe Mjini, Baharini, Mokowe, Hindi, Pate, Myabogi, Kiunga and Mwambore, among other areas across the county. On October 14, the county launched a Sh 5 million survey of all villages on Pate island, Lamu East. About 700 title deeds will be issued at the end of the drive.
