Sh 220 million set aside for squatter resettlement in Kilifi

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Deputy President William Ruto hands over a title deed in Kilifi County at a past event.Chakama residents have called on the government to help them locate their pieces of land two years after tittle deeds were issued PHOTO COURTESY

The National government has said it has set aside sh.220 million to resettle more  than 3,000 squatters in the Kagaa Settlement scheme in Kibarani ward, Kilifi County.

Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro said the national government is commited in making sure that no one remains a squatter in Kilifi County.

 Speaking to Kibarani Ward Progressive Association (KIWAPA) residents in Kibarani on Wednesday, Mung’aro said plan is aimed at ending squatter problem by initiating programs that will in the end enable locals  own title deeds.

More than 1,000 locals from the association were celebrating a year since they settled in  more than 350 acres of land privately owned by the defunct Kenya Cashew nuts factory.

The piece of land has been under dispute  since 1992 when the factory was purchased by the Millennium Management Company.

“The government has set aside Sh220million for the resettlement of the squatters living at Kagaa Settlement scheme, “said Mung’aro.

“Kagaa is one of the six parcels of land that the Parliamentary committee on land was working on and its resolution has been reached that the government settles the locals and give them title deeds,” he added.

Mung’aro who an aspiring gubernatorial  candidate on a Jubilee Party (JP) said the government has also finalized the land dispute  in Takaungu between the locals and a cement manufacturing company.

He said the residents would  soon repossess 2,300 acres of land in Takaungu.

“The government has gotten back 2,300 acres of land that was illegal taken from the locals by a manufacturing firm. The parliamentary committee on lands has resolved that it should be given back to the locals. That is what will happen,” Mung’aro said.

The Kilifi North legislator said he will use the repossessed land in Takaungu for the reconstruction of the Kenya Cashew nut factory.

He said survey work would  soon commence on the expansive John Keen land also in Kibarani after the government successfully  negotiated with the late politician’s family to  settle squatters who have been living in the land.

“We have started doing survey on the land because the late politician had agreed to relieve the land to the squatters before his death,” said Mung’aro.

However, the KIWAPA secretary Ali Khamis said they invaded the land last year after they discovered that they were left out as locals when the factory was sold to another company.

“Our fathers were shareholders in the defunct Kenya Cashew nuts factory and when it collapsed and later on sold to Millennium Management Limited, we  their kin were left out. That is why we invaded this land to reclaim ownership,” said Khamisi.

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