(Rongai, Kenya) – After 31 years of waiting, more than 2,000 residents of Rongai Sub-County in Nakuru are set to receive their title deeds, a move aimed at resolving long-standing land disputes in the area. This development is seen as a significant step towards economic growth and land value appreciation for the region.
The Principal Secretary for Lands and Physical Planning, Nixon Korir, emphasized the importance of land ownership documents for residents within the Banita Settlement Scheme, which includes several villages such as Kapsaga, Kongo Machine, Kiito, Kokwomoi, and Kimamoi A and B. Korir stated that the issuance of title deeds is a positive move for the county’s economic elevation.
Korir also encouraged residents to utilize their newly acquired title deeds to enhance their economic opportunities. He noted that the documents would increase the value of their land, which could boost economic development in the area. He assured residents that the Ministry of Lands, in collaboration with the county government, was working hard to complete the land adjudication process in the sub-county.
A meeting attended by top county officials, including County Commissioner Loyford Kibaara and Rongai Member of Parliament Paul Chebor, was held at Banita, where Korir reiterated the need for the national and county governments to expedite the process of land adjudication. The officials also warned residents against selling their land at low prices, which could lead to future landlessness.
County Commissioner Kibaara urged the local community to use their land productively by growing crops such as sunflower, pyrethrum, potatoes, maize, beans, and peas. He stressed that such practices could help residents become self-sufficient, reducing the likelihood of being manipulated into land disputes or incited into conflicts by external forces.
The county commissioner also challenged residents to use their land for commercial purposes, such as building structures or starting businesses, to generate income. He noted that outsiders were purchasing land in the area, developing it, and profiting from it, while the locals had not fully utilized their own land for economic growth.
In his remarks, Rongai MP Paul Chebor emphasized the value of the title deed as a key to financial empowerment. He explained that with the title deeds, residents could now access loans from financial institutions to improve their living standards. However, he cautioned against selling the land to outsiders, as it could leave future generations landless and struggling financially.
The County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Lands, John Kihagi, expressed optimism that the issuance of title deeds would significantly reduce land disputes and land grabbing in the region. He highlighted that the title deeds would provide security of tenure and open the door for more economic ventures, particularly in real estate. Kihagi also explained that the ongoing effort to process the deeds was a collaboration between Governor Susan Kihika’s administration and the national government.
Kihagi further noted that the lack of proper land ownership documents had hindered economic growth in the area, with many locals unable to secure loans or construct permanent homes. The area had seen informal settlements develop into slums due to the absence of land ownership papers.
Since the 1980s, residents in villages such as Kapsaga, Kongo Machine, Kiito, Kokwomoi, and Kimamoi A and B have struggled with land ownership issues. They had previously only received allotment letters, which were insufficient for securing loans or legally developing their land. The current land adjudication process is expected to bring an end to these problems, allowing residents to use their title deeds for economic advancement.
The Nakuru county government, in partnership with the National Lands Commission (NLC), has created a team to accelerate the title deed issuance process and address any ongoing land disputes. To further improve the situation, mediation teams have been trained to handle land cases and resolve disputes outside of the courts.
Many residents expressed relief and joy as they received their title deeds, especially those who had been waiting since the 1980s. One of the beneficiaries, Ezekiel Karanja, shared how the title deed would now enable him to develop his land without fear of losing it. He also expressed hope that the new land ownership rights would lead to increased economic opportunities for the entire community.
With the titles in hand, the residents plan to engage in large-scale farming of crops such as tomatoes, bulb onions, and garlic, which thrive in the region.