The Land Registrar in Rumuruti, Laikipia County has issued a 60-day notice to a land owner ordering him to vacate a piece of land under contention.
In a statement dated September 8, the registrar informed the public that the title deed of the land in question was fraudulently acquired.
Land records show that the man was issued a title deed for the 28-acre Laikipia land in April 2005, and he is officially registered as the absolute owner.
According to the Land Registrar, the title deed will be canceled if the 60 days lapse without any action being taken.
"Notice is given that after the expiration of sixty (60) days from the date hereof, the said land title deed shall be deemed to be canceled and of no effect, provided that no objection has been received within that period," read part of the statement.
As per law, when it is proven that a title deed was fraudulently acquired, a court order is issued to the relevant authority to remove the false records from the Land register.
Further, according to the Land Registration Act, anyone who fraudulently procures the registration or issues any title or certificate of the title of certificate of leases, is liable for prosecution since they will be deemed to have committed an offence.
"Any person who fraudulently alters, adds to, erases, defaces, mutilates or destroys any document or instrument relating to land or any entry on or endorsement of any such document or instrument; suppresses or conceals from the Registrar, or any authorized officer exercising powers under this Act, or assist or joins in so doing, any material document, factor matter, commits an offense,"
"The person is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding Ksh5 million or imprisonment for a term not exceeding five years or to both such fine and imprisonment," reads part of the act.
In July 2022, the government announced plans to revoke title deeds acquired illegally to safeguard land earmarked for public development projects.
Former Lands Principal Secretary Nicholas Muraguri assured that the move was aligned with ensuring that public resources were utilised prudently.
"We will continue retired President Uhuru Kenyatta's legacy of issuance of one million title deeds. We will deregister all title deeds for illegally acquired and grabbed land countrywide," he stated.
