A section of Ukambani leaders opposed President William Ruto's directive addressing the prevalent land-grabbing issues countrywide.
The leaders, led by Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti, on Saturday, December 10, spoke against adopting negotiations to solve the menace.
Wavinya accused some land officials of issuing counterfeit title deeds to grabbers.
"There are some individuals who have formed a cahoot with land officials in Nairobi then come and take our land, we want to tell you, your time is over," Wavinya warned.
Matungulu MP Stephen Mule reiterated Wavinya's sentiments arguing that negotiations would escalate land-related wrangles.
He appealed to President Ruto to find a new way of addressing the menace.
"Let this be clear, there is no way I will negotiate with someone who has grabbed my land and set up structures," Mule stated.
"The land issue is the root cause of many problems in this country, and we should find another way of addressing it but not through negotiations," Mule insisted.
Ukamabani leaders responded to President Ruto, who appealed to locals to solve land-grabbing issues amicably.
While launching the Mavoko affordable housing project worth Ksh20 billion, Ruto argued that hoarding land and prolonged court cases slowed development progress in the vast Machakos county.
The head of state confirmed that addressing the land issue was key to helping the government focus on expanding access to quality, spacious, clean, safe and secure dwelling places at affordable cost in the country.
"This transformative Plan goes beyond the provision of affordable housing units to presenting opportunities for gainful employment and wealth creation to millions of Kenyans struggling to put food on the table," Ruto stated.
Ruto stated his government's goal was to construct 250,000 houses yearly for low-income earners.
