The government has so far issued 1000 land title deeds to public primary and secondary Schools from 13 counties out of 47 in a national pilot programme.
Lands Cabinet Secretary Prof Jacob Kaimenyi reiterated the State’s commitment to ensure the remaining public schools acquire title deeds. Speaking on Friday at Moi Girls High School Eldoret in Uasin Gishu County during the National Public Schools Titling ceremony, Kaimenyi said that out of 29, 404 schools in Kenya, 83 per cent lack lease certificates while another 55 per cent have not been surveyed.
He implored upon primary school heads and boards of management to ensure their institutions have title deeds to save them from the hands of grabbers.
“The Jubilee government is determined to ensure that all public schools have valid documents to save their land from grabbers who are taking advantage to encroach on their property,” he said.
Kaimenyi said 41 per cent of public schools are at risk of encroachments and grabbing while 14 per cent have reported cases related to land grabbing.
He said despite the challenges, the Ministry in partnership with the National Land Commission, the Shule Yangu Alliance and the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya has made great strides in the
titling process of public schools.
National Land Commission chairman Dr Muhammad Swazuri who attended the event, dismissed reports that Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission detectives recently raided his home.
The raid was prompted by suspected graft in the multi-billion shilling compensation of individuals and institutions affected by the Standard Gauge Railway project.
“I want to put this on record that I was not detained, nor money was found in any of my houses in Nairobi or Kwale as reported in the media. I am still the chairman of NLC and we will continue to serve our mandate as stipulated in the constitution,” he said.
Swazuri accused cartels targetting public land of trying to oust him from his position over his relent efforts to scuttle their schemes.
He said land cartels were alarmed by the commission’s efforts to recover grabbed lands and were fighting back with the aim of plotting to bring them down.
