Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday announced that his Ministry has embarked on a fresh crackdown against all public officers.
Speaking to the public while in Nakuru, the CS revealed that the Interior Ministry had learnt that some officials from the Ministry of Lands were colluding with unscrupulous businessmen to produce fake title deeds.
He cited government officials as well as officers appointed as surveyors of land among the biggest culprits.
"We also have land disputes, especially in certain parts of this country and we have agreed on how they will be solved amicably so that we do not have a situation where people encroach on other people's land and refuse to move or people access to land through fraudulent title deeds," he stated.
"We are putting on notice all public officers including officers in the Ministry of Lands as well as those involved in the survey of land that those who are aiding land fraud and forgery of title deeds are criminals just like any other. We shall deal with them mercilessly."
For years, Kenyans have suffered immense losses after being conned while trying to purchase parcels of land across the country.
In October 2023, the National Crime Research Centre ranked Nairobi as the leading county with unresolved land disputes standing at 12 per cent.
It was followed by Kakamega at 6.3%, Nakuru at 5%, Meru(5.3%), Kisii(5.2%), Bungoma(5.1%), Kilifi(4.6%), Kisumu(4.5), Kiambu(4.1), and Siaya(3.9%).
The most prevalent land dispute issues in various counties include; pending land transfers, land succession, ownership disputes, forged documents, lost title deeds, compensation claims, and boundary interference.
During his address, Kindiki further noted that he was cognisant of land ownership wrangles surrounding the Nakuru War Memorial Hospital that have rocked the county.
Yesterday, Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara defended President William Ruto's ownership of a 5,000-acre parcel in Ndabibi. Some individuals had invaded the parcel and began cultivating it after claiming that they were legitimate owners.
The MP, however, cautioned against accusations levelled against the President regarding the alleged land grab, insisting on the need for Kenyans to accord him respect.
“Can we stop the owner from selling the land to the President? It has been proven that this land belongs to Kipkulei, let him sell to whoever he wants,” she stated.
“If there is any of you that claims the President took your land, come to me and I will take you to him to claim your land."
