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Lands

UNDERSTANDING LAND INHERITANCE

Land inheritance in Kenya follows a legal process to ensure fair distribution of a deceased person’s estate.

This process involves beneficiaries applying for Letters of Administration in court, which are then published in the Kenya Gazette for 30 days to allow objections.

The court then grants probate for wills or issues letters of administration if no will exists.

With regard to the above, Makueni County Government through the office of the County Attorney concluded a seven-day legal clinic on awareness of land succession matters in seven wards.

During the clinics that reached thousands of Makueni residents, it became evident that there was a lack of awareness about the succession process, including the transfer of a deceased person’s name to an administrator and the required documentation.

Speaking on Monday at Kithungo/Kitundu Ward, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. emphasized the importance of understanding the legal process to ensure smooth land ownership transitions.

“With proper documentation, families can avoid the risk of losing land due to disputes or fraudulent claims,” he stated.

Governor Mutula further reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to simplifying land succession with proper legal guidance and encouraged residents to allocate funds for the process in the upcoming Budget cycle.

The legal clinics held at Kitundu Social Hall and Kithungo Chief’s Camp, were also attended by area MCA Kisungi Wa Ketete, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa and Chief Officer Felistus Mutune among other officers.

COUNTY’S LAND SUCCESSION INITIATIVE BRINGS HOPE TO LOCALS WITHOUT TITLE DEEDS

For 72-year-old Gabriel Kimanga from Kiou in Kilome Sub-County, uncertainty has been a lifelong reality.

Despite having lived on his great-grandfather’s land for decades, he has never held a title deed.

The land was passed down through generations,his father and uncles inheriting it from their grandfather,yet the lack of legal ownership has left Kimanga distressed, especially as he struggles to secure a future for his ten children.

However, relief is in sight as the county government rolls out a land succession initiative aimed at resolving such cases.

The county is currently conducting sensitization forums in wards that prioritized land succession during public participation, an exercise funded through the Ward Development Fund.

Among the areas benefitting from the initiative are Kasikeu, Kathonzweni, Emali-Mulala, Wote-Nziu, Tulimani, and Kithungo-Kitundu wards.

Addressing residents separately at Kasikeu Chief’s Camp and Kwothithu Chief’s Camp, Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili emphasized that succession laws do not discriminate against women in land ownership.

She urged families to ensure fair distribution of land among all rightful heirs, warning that failure to do so often leads to prolonged court battles.

She also cautioned young men against recklessly selling inherited land, reminding them of their responsibility to care for their aging parents.

County Solicitor Jennifer Kyumwa noted that the program will support 25 beneficiaries per cluster, assisting them in navigating the complex land succession process.

Meanwhile, area MCA Ruben Musau encouraged residents to allocate additional funds for land succession in the next budget cycle to ensure more families benefit from the initiative.

With governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s intervention, residents like Kimanga can now look forward to securing their land rights, offering stability and peace of mind for their generations.

KWS BOSS AND GOVERNOR MUTULA UNVEIL TEAM TO DRAFT NGAI NDETHYA RESERVE LAND MANAGEMENT PLAN

The process of drafting a Land Management Plan for Ngai Ndethya National Reserve has kicked off with unveiling of a multi-sectoral team to spearhead the process.

The team comprising of representatives of Kenya Widlife Service, Makueni Lands Department, NEMA, National and County Government Administrations, NLC, conservancies and local residents was unveiled by KWS Director General Prof. Erastus Kanga and Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr at Mtito Andei on Friday.

Governor Mutula also led a citizen engagement forum at Nthunguni market to record the voice of wnanchi on the matter.

The plan aims to harmonize human settlement, conservation, wildlife protection and development.

GOVERNOR MUTULA LAUNCHES ONE-STOP DIGITAL LAND SERVICES SYSTEM

Makueni County has gone digital in its land services bringing all land related services under one digital roof—Makueni Ardhi System— accessible from any part of the globe at the click of a button.

The self-service portal launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr on Tuesday is modelled after the national government’s Ardhisasa, and guarantees users 24/7 convenient access of land services such as:

• Payment of property rates and rent,

• Plot searches,

• Application of construction permits, clearance certificates and other development permissions,

• Property owners are provided with flexible payment options where they are able to make partial payments on property rent and rates.

• The system is configured to give users feedback through SMSs and email and promoting paperless transactions.

The system has onboarded 32,332 plots, from 27,000 plots before development of Ardhi Makueni. From this number, Makueni targets to raise Ksh 170 million in Own Source Revenue from land-based revenue streams in the 2024/2025 Financial Year.

The system while increasing efficiency in land resources management will weed out malpractices such public land grabbing and or encroachment.

Log onto https://lims.makueni.go.ke to access these digital services.

GOVERNOR MUTULA CHAIRS STAKEHOLDERS MEETING TO PLAN NGAI NDETHYA SETTLEMENT

Makueni County, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), has initiated plans to draw a Land Management Plan for Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve, geared towards excising 13,000 hectares for human settlement and conservancies.

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. on Tuesday chaired a consultative forum in his office, which was attended by KWS Wildlife and Community Service Director Prof. Charles Musyoki, several conservancy leaders, and executive committee members among other stakeholders.

The forum aimed to set the stage for the development of a Land Use and Management Plan for the 21,000-hectare Ngai Ndethya Game Reserve. This plan would allow the county government to excise 13,000 hectares off the protected area and pave way for issuance of title deeds.

To spearhead the process, a multi-sectoral team has been established and tasked with drafting the management plan within six months.

MAKUENI AND KWS CHARTS A NEW PATH FOR CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. met with Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) Director General Prof. Erastus Kanga on Tuesday to discuss critical issues affecting Makueni County.

Top in the discussion was the regularization of the Ngai Ndethya settlement scheme, which is currently a national reserve. It was resolved that the county government will initiate a management plan for excision to allocate 13,860 hectares for human settlement and 7,279 hectares for wildlife conservancy.

It was agreed that the conservancy would remain public land and be designated as a game reserve, to be managed collaboratively by the County Government of Makueni and the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Prof. Kanga emphasized the importance of wildlife conservation for biodiversity and sustaining life, as highlighted by UNESCO.

During the meeting, Governor Kilonzo committed to establishing a resource centre with offices for the County Game Warden and Liaison Officer. In turn, KWS pledged to improve road access in Mtito Andei town to enhance connectivity.

Further, he noted that the collaboration would boost revenue by positioning Mtito Andei as a key tourist destination. “This partnership is a win for conservation, development, and the people of Makueni.” Kilonzo remarked

Additionally, the meeting addressed the urgent need for concerted mitigation of human-wildlife conflict in the county with the completion of 20 Kilometre electric fence from Wandei to Gaza set before the end of February 2025. KWS was urged to implement swift intervention measures and expedite compensation for affected residents.

The Governor was accompanied by CEC Members Japheth Mang’oka (Lands), Nicholas Nzioka (Devolution), Eng. Peter Nyamai (Transport), and Chief Officers Eng. Naomi Nthambi (Energy), Dr. Geoffrey Ngovi (Environment), and Daudi Kyalo (Lands and Urban Planning).

BUILDING A WATER SECURE MAKUENI

In an endeavor to enhance water access to residents of Makueni, through the Last Mile Water Connectivity program, County Executive Member for Finance Damaris Kavoi on Monday launched Mulima dam phase 2 distribution works, on behalf of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.

This project aims to enhance the pumping system of Mulima’s treated water to Syiluni hill and distribution through the existing pipeline to residents of Mbooni and Tulimani wards.

The launch was witnessed by CECs John Kieti (Water), Japheth Mang’oka (Lands), Nicholas Nzioka (Devolution) and area MCA Alexander Mulemba.

MAKUENI KICKS OFF CAMPAIGN TO GROW 1 MILLION TREES

The Department of Lands through the Directorate of Environment has launched a campaign to grow 1 million trees in the October-November-December rain season.

The exercise is part of a greater initiative by the County Government of Makueni to plant and grow 344M trees by the year 2032 to restore degraded landscapes and forests.

The exercise was launched by County Executive Committee Member Japheth Mang’oka flanked by Chief Officer Geoffrey Muthoka, representatives of Kenya Forest Service, Kenya Forest Research Institute and Community Forest Association at Kalumbi Forest in Mbitini Ward, Makueni Sub-county.

Acting Director Climate Change Jackline Kamusa says a greater percentage of the trees are fruit trees, to be given to farmers to ensure food resilience in the wake of climate change.

To weed out the menacing illegal felling of trees for charcoal and timber, Mang’oka said the county government has enlisted the support of Community Forest Associations for policing and intelligence sharing on the perpetrators of this environmental destruction.

MAKUENI INTENSIFIES LANDSCAPE RESTORATION OF DEGRADED LANDS

Makueni’s Department of Lands, in partnership with FAO and the European Union under the Digital Land Governance Programme, has completed a two-day capacity building workshop for Muambwani and Kalumbi Community Forests restoration stakeholders.

The training is geared towards equipping the stakeholders, among them the community, with necessary information for participatory forest management planning, build synergies among the different stakeholders and carry out monitoring and evaluation of the Muambwani-Kalumbi Community Forest restoration progress.

The training brought together community members, Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya Forest Service and ICRAF representatives.

County Chief Officer in charge of Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change Geoffrey Muthoka reiterated Makueni’s determination to restore degraded landscapes while encouraging the planting of high-value trees in both public and private farmlands.