Petition Raises Alarm Over Land Compensation Injustices
Moiben MP, Hon. Prof Phylis Bartoo, has brought a crucial petition before the National Assembly, highlighting ongoing injustices related to the resettlement and compensation of residents displaced from Crown Land in Moiben Constituency.
The petition addresses issues concerning Crown Land (LR. 883/2), known as Sergoit Holding Ground, which encompasses 1,500 acres previously utilized by the Sergoit Community for grazing, water catchment, and cultural activities. The land was acquired by the colonial government for public utilities including schools, police stations, and tree nurseries.
Hon. Prof Bartoo claims that while some families were compensated with alternative land parcels, others were left without due to fraudulent activities. She asserts that in 1992, the provincial administration irregularly allocated compensation land, leaving some Sergoit Community members without their rightful recompense. A subsequent investigation by a community committee revealed that 450 acres of compensation land were illegally occupied by private developers.
The petition calls for the National Assembly’s Public Petitions Committee to investigate these alleged irregularities and ensure proper compensation for the affected community members.
Supporting the petition, Endebess MP, Hon. (Dr) Robert Pukose, highlighted similar issues in his constituency and urged for consolidation of petitions addressing land injustices. He emphasized the need for thorough investigation into historical land grievances and fraudulent activities.
In contrast, Kilifi MP, Hon. Owen Baya, advocated for legislative action to empower the National Land Commission (NLC) to address land injustices. He noted that the statutory authority allowing the NLC to review land grants has expired and stressed the importance of re-enacting the law to enable the Commission to effectively handle land issues.
The National Assembly is now tasked with addressing these pressing concerns, with implications for both historical land injustices and ongoing land disputes across the country.
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