[Source: Daily Nation, by Eric Wainaina]
The National Land Commission (NLC) has ordered that a Sh12 billion forest in Kiambu be degazzeted and the 419-acre piece be shared among squatters.
The land — known as Kamiti/Anmer — has been the subject of a 23-year row between the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and the squatters. KFS wanted the squatters who have been living on the land since it was gazetted as a forest evicted.
On the other hand, Kamiti Anmer Development Association (Kada), Muungano wa Kamiti Society, Kamiti Forest Squatters Association and Kamiti Anmer Squatters Welfare have laid claim to the land.
They argue that it was allocated to them by retired President Daniel arap Moi in the 1990s, but the forest was neither degazetted nor title deeds issued.
President Moi, they say, gave them the land during a visit to Kiambu. He directed the Lands ministry to execute the order. Kenya Forest Service disputes the claim.
On February 21, last year, Thika Environment and Land Court judge Lucy Gacheru, who is hearing a case in which NLC joined as an interested party, issued interim orders directing Kenya Forest Service not to interfere with the land until the case is determined.
Before NLC issued its verdict, the court had said that it would, on July 3, make a ruling on whether KFS will be allowed to evict the squatters from the disputed parcel of land, pending the hearing and determination of the case.
NLC appears to give credence to the claims by the Kamiti Anmer Development Association that it is the rightful owner of the land.
Muungano Wa Kamiti Society officials have been claiming that the land was allocated to them in 1994 after a request by former Githunguri MP Arthur Magugu on their behalf. Mr Magugu has since died.
In November last year, the National Assembly Committee on Lands visited the disputed parcel following a petition filed by one the groupings seeking the House intervention to have the land, which is 70 per cent occupied, degazetted.
[Full article on: Daily Nation, by Eric Wainaina]
