CHAIRPERSON of the
Commission of Inquiry into the Sale of State Land in and around urban areas
Justice Tendai Uchena has said preliminary findings show that scores of people
have been duped by unscrupulous barons before barring the sale of State land in
cases where the commission has expressed reservations.
Briefing the media recently on progress made so far,
Justice Uchena said evidence gathered from public hearings shows that a number
of desperate home-seekers were falling prey to land barons who deliberately
sell disputed land.
Some people bought stands on the understanding that
development would soon be completed, but they ended up staying on unserviced
stands for over a decade.
Justice Uchena warned land developers, councils and
individuals from selling State land in cases where reservations have been made
by the commission.
“We have noted with concern that the public continues to
purchase urban State land stands from cooperatives and developers who fail to
follow due process in the selling, allocation, development and servicing of
urban State land.
“Cooperatives, developers, local authorities, individual
State land sellers and any other State land actors are warned against continued
sale of State land in cases where the commission has expressed reservations
against the sale of such State land,” said Justice Uchena.
The judge also advised home seekers to first verify with
the relevant Government offices before purchasing State land in urban areas.
“We advise members of the public to desist from purchasing
stands on State land for urban expansion purposes before verifying with the
Ministry of Local Government on whether the purchasers of such land have the
authority to sell such land,” he said.
The Commission of Inquiry’s terms of reference include
investigating and identifying State land in and around urban areas that was
acquired by the Ministry of Lands and later handed over to the Local Government
Ministry for urban development since 2005.
Investigations are being carried out to establish ownership
and the methods used in the acquisition of such land.
The commission should ascertain the actors involved in the
allocation, occupation and use of such land.
It also conducts visitations where necessary, summon
witnesses, record proceedings, and analyse the evidence to arrive at
appropriate findings and recommendations to the President.
Justice Uchena encouraged journalists to attend and give
coverage to the public hearings to ensure the nation is kept abreast of the
progress being made by the commission. Herald
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