Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary of Lands, Public Works, Housing, and Urban Development issued an ultimatum to anyone residing on public land.
Wahome who was transferred from the Ministry of water to the Ministry of lands in the recent cabinet shuffle by the president sent an ultimatum to citizens occupying land owned by the public.
The former member of parliament announced that any person on public land should vacate with immediate effect. She advised citizens on conmen who according to her swindled people using share certificates.
The controversial CS advised that share certificates were not considered legal documents to show ownership of land or property.
“The ministry wishes to send out a strong message that any person on public land should vacate with immediate effect. I wish to advise the public that there are people out here conning members of the public to buy land using share certificates. Share certificates are not legal documents to confirm ownership,”
Wahome added that the ministry would conduct a crackdown on all public lands. An exercise that would be conducted by various agencies including security agencies Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), the Anti-Recovery Agency (ARA),DCI, and the National Police Service.
The staunch UDA supporter also took the chance to offer clarification on the controversial demolitions that happened in Mavoko. She stated that the ministry had all ownership documents for Mavoko land and that it belonged to the East African Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) adding that the historical information about that land is under land reference number 10424.
“Any other documents purported to be held in respect to the said land do not originate from this office. The ministry has already forwarded the relevant documents to the office of the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to support them in the ongoing investigations,” Wahome explained.
When questioned on whether the ministry would compensatate those whose buildings were demolished, Wahome stated that the responsibility for compensating the unfortunate individuals lay with those who deceitfully sold the land to them.
“Those who sold the parcel of land knowing very well that they did not own it are the people who should do the compensation,” The CS emphasized.
The demolitions that occurred in Athi River, Mavoko, raised a lot of chaos as Kenyans expressed frustrations and anger at the government for giving a go-ahead to the company.
Houses worth millions came crumbling down as their owners wailed and looked in disbelief. Investigations are still ongoing as Kenyans continue to demand answers.