Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony has banned Lands Ministry officials from operating in the county following his order for an immediate closure of the Land surveying mapping office.
The County boss signed an executive order directing all land survey work be carried out by the county government.
According to Chepkwony, Kericho County Assembly had in 2015 approved the Kericho County Survey, mapping Act and warned that no survey work would be allowed under the Survey Act (CAP 299) as has been done by some officials of the National Government in Kericho.
The governor exclaimed: "I hereby order that all survey and mapping resources, including resource maps and equipment, be immediately handed over to the relevant department of the County Government of Kericho."
[caption caption="File image of Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony"]
[/caption]
Additionally, Mr Chepkwony blocked any amendments to the registry index maps without the express authority of the county government through the Department of Lands and Physical Planning.
He further directed all surveyors licensed under the Survey Act (CAP 299) operating within the county to promptly register with the County Department of Lands by filing a notification form.
In his defence, the governor explained that the Constitution was clear that survey and mapping activities were fully in the hands of the county government and accused the national government of overstepping its mandate.
"No survey and mapping activities within Kericho County shall be undertaken unless they are in full compliance and conform to the Kericho County Survey and Mapping Act, 2015," asserted the Jubilee Governor.
According to reports, his unprecedented move could strain the relationship between the county and National Government.
His government has in the past been in run-ins with the National Government and various agencies over land use in Kericho County in his efforts to prevent grabbing, especially of public land.
[caption caption="File image of Kericho Governor Paul Chepkwony"]
[/caption]
