Thousands of residents in the disputed 17,000 acre South Ngariama ranch in Mwea East Sub-County are set to be issued with title deeds as the Ministry of Lands kicks off the adjudication process.
This follows a court order issued by Justice John Mutungi sitting at Kerugoya Environment and Lands Court directing the ministry to resolve the disputes that had rocked the area for over three decades.
Kirinyaga County Commissioner Naiyoma Tobiko and the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, Rev. Samuel Kanjobe held a public engagement forum in the land where the residents were sensitized on the initiative.
The Ministry of Lands officials involved in the adjudication process were introduced to the residents and this week kick started the process in readiness for issuance of title deeds.
Assistant Director for Adjudication and Settlement in the Ministry of Lands, Ezekiel Kiania called on residents to support the initiative, pledging to oversee the process in a fair and transparent manner.
The CECM for lands, Rev. Kanjobe who represented Governor Anne Waiguru in the public participation forum said that the County Government had no other interest than to ensure that the land matter was permanently settled.
He urged residents to cooperate and ensure the process was successfully concluded adding that there was political goodwill to have the residents get their land ownership documents.
He urged them to ignore the naysayers out to mislead them in order to derail the process.
Nancy Wanjiku, a South Ngariama resident, expressed the community’s collective relief as the adjudication process commenced. She emphasized the palpable shift from living in perpetual dread, citing the recurrent and fatal land disputes that once plagued their daily lives.
Murimi Muciri, a South Ngariama resident, expressed profound satisfaction as the adjudication process commenced, affirming that many in the community now felt a sense of relief.
His sentiments resonated with James Njagi, another resident, who urged fellow South Ngariama inhabitants to exercise patience and cooperation with adjudication officers.
The commencement of the adjudication process for the disputed South Ngariama land marks a significant step towards resolving a longstanding issue that has plagued the community for years. With the process finally underway, there is renewed hope for peace and justice among residents who have endured uncertainty and conflict over land ownership.
