Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday revealed the government is working on lifting the caveat placed on land located in Mauche, Nakuru County and surrounding areas.
Speaking during the launch of the Kathambi Chepkwony Foundation, the Deputy President said the hundreds of families in this region deserve title deeds to enable them go about their economic activities which will in turn spur growth.
The caveat was put in place by the East African Court of Justice stopping subdivision of land, which was part of the Mau Forest, in a legal battle between the government of Kenya and the Ogiek Community, which calls the forest home.
"We (the government) promised to remove the caveat. I want to give the commitment of President William Ruto that this issue will be sorted once and for all," he said.
While making the remarks, Gachagua revealed that a meeting bringing together leaders in the areas affected by the caveat will be convened to resolve the matter.
"The pieces of paper you have do not add value to wealth creation. The title deeds, will enable you to borrow loans for businesses," the Deputy President said.
The Deputy President appreciated the groundwork the national government and its officers on the ground had done to engage communities with a view to sustain peace.
Gachagua reiterated the Kenya Kwanza administration will not allow any form of incitement against other communities.
"I want to encourage our security teams to continue remaining vigilant in ensuring that communities live in peace," DP Gachagua said.
The Deputy President's latest comments come after former Lands Cabinet Secretary Zachariah Njeru in September 2023 announced the State has lifted a more than 20-year caveat on land located on the fringes of Mau Forest.
Conversely, President William Ruto had on July 15, threatened that Kenya would withdraw from the East African Court of Justice should the Arusha-based court not lift a caveat on Mau Forest.
The President said the court had until December 2024 to heed to his demand.
“It is not acceptable that citizens are living as squatters because of no act of their fault and because there is a court that does not respect the rights of other people,” he defended the decision.
