Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharif Nassir has reiterated his commitment to tackle the chronic land conflict in Mombasa.
Nassir who was addressing Kisauni residents on Saturday noted that he is working on a County Ardhi Fund Bill, 2024 that will provide the County Government with a framework to resolve historical land ownership issues in the county.
Through the legislation, if it sails through the Mombasa County Assembly, the county government will be in a position to purchase land from willing landlords and issue title deeds to willing buyer squatters who will then offset the debt within their capacity.
The Mombasa County Chief said the efforts have been triggered by the increased land conflict and unending evictions in the county, situation that has caused a lot of pain and suffering among residents.
Nassir said when the entire process sails through the County Assembly and its implementation begin, the county government will come up with a fund to purchase land for locals.
“This is what we are working on as the Mombasa County government, we need to come up with long lasting solution to these unending land conflict and people being evicted from where they have lived for decades,” he said.
However, the Mombasa County Chief issued a stern warning to locals against selling their pieces of land once the purchasing process is complete and locals receive their pieces of land.
“As we struggle to solve this chronic land problem, we clearly know that some of you are planning to sell those pieces of land and later come back to us asking for help. Please do not sell your land the day you will be handed your title deeds,” he told the residents.
He urged them to utilise the land by building residential homes or commercial initiatives, and eventually leave some inheritance to their dependants.
He further said that the repayment of all the expenses will be as per an agreement between the two parties.
“The county government will buy the land and issue title dees to occupants, the repayment of the debts will be as per the agreement between locals and the county government,” said Nassir.
