The National Land Commission (NLC) has expressed concern over the high rate of public land grabbing and encroachment in Busia County, Kenya. During a public participation forum, residents raised concerns over the alleged grabbing and encroachment of sewage sites, riparian areas, schools, and other institutional land. The commission received numerous complaints, prompting Vice Chairperson Dr. Julie Oseko to warn that the scale of public land grabbing in the county was worrying.
Dr. Oseko stated that almost every category of land reserved for public use was facing the threat of illegal occupation. She put land grabbers on notice, warning that those occupying public land, particularly riparian areas, had no justification for doing so. The commission will investigate complaints brought before it and make decisions on land found to have been illegally acquired or occupied. Oseko also urged individuals who knew they had illegally acquired public land to voluntarily surrender it.
The public participation forum was organised to allow residents to give their views on two regulations under the NLC's mandate: historical land injustices and the review of grants and dispositions of land. NLC Commissioner Susan Oyatsi said the commission wanted residents to explain the challenges they were facing and advise it on how they expected their complaints to be handled. The absence of a spatial plan for Busia County emerged as one of the major concerns during the meeting.
According to Oyatsi, residents complained about haphazard construction, encroachment on public land, and the health risks associated with unplanned developments. Having a proper spatial plan would help the county regulate development and protect land set aside for public facilities. The commission will consider the residents' concerns and suggestions as it begins hearings on the review of grants and dispositions of land.
NLC Deputy Commissioner for Matayos Julius Maiyo said the commission had received complaints from residents who believed they had suffered historical land injustices. Residents had been encouraged to submit their cases to the commission, noting that some had previously lacked information on which land-related cases could be handled by the NLC. Some of the complaints involved public land allegedly taken over or encroached on by private individuals.
Maiyo cited the Busia Airstrip as one of the public parcels where claims of encroachment had been raised, saying the commission would investigate the matter. Residents also raised concerns over disputes arising from multiple title deeds allegedly issued for the same parcels of land. Locals led by Kevin Ojuro said some areas, including Chemichemi in Bunyala, had residents without title deeds, while other parcels were allegedly associated with several documents that different people claimed were genuine.
The situation has complicated land ownership disputes, with different individuals claiming legitimate ownership of the same parcel. The NLC has assured residents that it will take action to address the concerns raised during the public participation forum. The commission's efforts aim to resolve land-related issues and promote sustainable development in Busia County.
Key points
- The National Land Commission has raised alarm over widespread land grabbing in Busia County, Kenya.
- The commission will investigate complaints and take action against those found to have illegally acquired or occupied public land.
- Residents have been encouraged to submit their cases to the commission, particularly those who believe they have suffered historical land injustices.
