Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome Announces Plans to Waive Over KSh 6 Billion in Interest
Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome has taken significant steps toward addressing the challenges faced by landowners across Kenya. During the launch of the Malindi Land Registry, she revealed that a Cabinet memo on the issue of waiving interest on unpaid settlement fees has already been prepared and sent to the Treasury and the Attorney General. The initiative aims to assist land allottees in obtaining unclaimed title deeds nationwide.
Wahome emphasized that the move is intended to ease the burden on landowners who have struggled with the costs associated with claiming their properties. She stated that the government is considering waiving the interest on fees if the proposal is approved. This decision comes after discussions with the President, indicating a strong commitment from the administration to resolve long-standing issues related to land registration.
Challenges Faced by Landowners
The leaders present at the event, including Kaloleni and Malindi MPs Paul Katana and Amina Mnyazi, National Assembly Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, and Malindi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, highlighted the difficulties faced by local residents in obtaining their title deeds. They pointed out that the financial constraints have made it challenging for many to claim their properties.
Wahome acknowledged that there are 33,000 unclaimed documents in the newly established Malindi Lands Registry alone, while thousands of title deeds remain uncollected in other registries across the country. She urged recipients of settlement schemes to pay the small fees promptly and collect their ownership certificates, emphasizing the importance of securing these documents to protect their property rights.
Directives from the Ministry
In addition to the waiver initiative, Wahome issued clear directives to ministry personnel. She instructed them to conclude all settlement programs that have been in place since 1960 and provide beneficiaries with title deeds. This directive aligns with the principles outlined in the 2010 Kenya Constitution, which emphasizes the need for transparency and fairness in land management.
Furthermore, Wahome called on foreigners holding freehold and 999-year leases to renounce their titles and be granted 99-year leases instead. This move is aimed at ensuring that land use in Kenya adheres to constitutional guidelines and promotes equitable distribution.
Progress in Kilifi County
According to Wahome, significant progress has been made in Kilifi County, where approximately 7,000 new title deeds have been finalized for various settlement plans and adjudication sections. She mentioned that she will soon return to the coastal county to distribute these documents to the recipients. Adjudication work is currently underway in several locations within Kilifi, including Wakala, Kibokoni, Chakama Phase III, Adu/Kamale, and Pumwani Phase III.
President Ruto’s Intervention in Narok County
In another development, President William Ruto made a firm declaration regarding conflicts and environmental management in Narok County. He announced that members of the Maasai community will receive an additional 6,000 acres of the disputed Kedong Ranch land. This decision is expected to address long-standing disputes and improve the management of natural resources in the area.
Kedong Ranch, known for its significance as a site of judicial and political disputes, also houses important national infrastructure such as the Naivasha Inland Dry Port. Ruto’s intervention marks a pivotal moment in the region’s history, offering hope for resolution and sustainable development.
