Lands

PROMOTING LAND AWARENESS IN MUKAA

Legal land ownership gives individuals confidence, security, and the freedom to invest in their future.

It protects families from disputes and ensures smooth transfer of property from one generation to another.

With proper ownership, communities thrive in peace and unity.

Today, hundreds of residents from Mukaa Ward gathered at Upete and Enzai markets for a legal awareness forum on land succession and transfer.

The sensitization, led by Deputy Governor Makueni-H.E Lucy Mulili, highlighted essential documents needed, and who should oversee the process to ensure fairness and transparency in land succession.

Speaking during the event, Ms. Mulili asked residents present to handle land matters openly and lawfully for harmony and love prevail in our homes and community in the county.

The exercise, attended by Chief Officer Devolution Daniel Ndolo, MCA Eng. Joseph Muema, and county administration officers, was spearheaded by the County Legal team.

HUNDREDS FLOCK KAKO AND WAMBITI LAND SUCCESSION CLINICS

Hundreds of residents from Kako/Waia Ward in Makueni County gathered Thursday for a land succession sensitisation forum, in what is being hailed as a major step toward resolving long-standing inheritance and property disputes that have crippled land use and family relations in the region.

The forum is part of a broader initiative launched by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s administration aimed at tackling the deeply entrenched land succession crisis facing Makueni County residents.

The land succession clinics, spearheaded by the County Solicitor’s Office, are designed to educate residents on the legal pathways to resolve inheritance issues and formalize land ownership.

Addressing the crowd, Chief Officer for Public Service Management Catherine Katuti urged locals to take full advantage of the county government’s free legal support, emphasizing that unresolved succession issues remain one of the biggest hindrances to effective land utilization and economic development in the region.

Residents shared emotional testimonies of family breakdowns, generational disputes, and economic stagnation tied to unprocessed succession cases, many dating back decades.

UNLOCKING LAND RIGHTS

To process land succession, families are required to present essential documents including the death certificate of the deceased, identification documents of the next of kin, and land ownership records. These documents ensure smooth transfer of land rights from the deceased to rightful beneficiaries.

On Tuesday, the County Government of Makueni held free legal awareness clinics in Kalawa and Kathulumbi markets to guide residents on land succession.

Led by County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa , the forums drew hundreds of residents and will fully sponsor 100 less fortunate families to legally inherit land from their deceased relatives.

The awareness drive in Kalawa was also graced by Chief Officer for Agriculture, Japheth Kiminza alongside MCAs Meshack Kalii Ndambuki and Jane Mwanthi.

A similar session was held on Monday in Nguu/Masumba Ward, indicating a clear demonstration of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr’s commitment to empower Makueni families with land security and justice.

MAKUENI RESIDENTS, COUNTY TO RECLAIM UNUSED THWAKE DAM LAND

The National Land Commission (NLC) has commenced the final phase of surveying and demarcating land around the Thwake Dam project, paving the way for the return of unutilized land to local residents and the Makueni County Government.

The two-month long mapping exercise will also ensure land is set aside for road access and essential utilities that support both the dam project and the surrounding communities.

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. who hosted NLC officials who paid him a courtesy call, lauded the initiative, describing it as a progressive step in public resource accountability.

He said families whose land was partially acquired for the project will now regain access to their parcels.

Sospeter Ohanya, NLC Deputy Director of Survey said 96 per cent of land owners have been compensated.

MAKUENI INITIATES LEGAL CLINIC ON LAND SUCCESSION.

In Kenya, inheriting land from a deceased family member requires following the country’s Laws of Succession — a process that demands documents like a death certificate, a clear list of beneficiaries and legal grants from the court.

For many families, these steps are often misunderstood, leading to endless disputes.

To bridge this gap, the County Government of Makueni on Monday held legal clinics on land succession at Kee Ward in Kaiti Sub County.

These clinics are open forums where residents learn from county legal experts and ask questions freely.

The Monday exercise, led by County Solicitor Jennifer M Kyumwa drew hundreds of locals eager to understand how to safeguard family property.

Kyumwa said the program is meant to empower families with knowledge and disclosed that similar events will be rolled out in other Wards.

Area MCA Ulbarnus Manzu and Lower Eastern LSK Chairperson Makau Mutua attended the event.

GOVERNOR MUTULA ASSENTS TO MBOONI-KEE MUNICIPALITY CHARTER

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. has officially assented to the Mbooni-Kee Municipality Charter, following its approval by the County Assembly. This marks a significant milestone toward the municipality’s full operationalization, including the transfer of functions, budgetary allocations, and staffing.

The new municipality will oversee key functions such as infrastructure development, solid waste management, and development control—bringing services closer to the people for improved efficiency and accessibility.

Mbooni-Kee becomes Makueni’s third municipality, after Wote and Emali-Sultan Hamud.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili, County Attorney Stanley Nthiwa, CECM for Lands Paul Musila, CECM for Education Japheth Mang’oka, CECM for Devolution Nicolas Nzioka, and Chief Officer for Lands Jackson Daudi on Thursday morning.

WOTE MUNICIPALITY RECEIVES SUPPORT FOR DEVELOPMENT OF FUNDAMENTAL BY-LAWS

Wote Municipality is poised for sustainable urban development, supported by a robust policy framework designed to enhance service delivery.

Through support from UK funded Sustainable Urban Economic Development (SUED) program, the municipality is among 12 others across Kenya selected for support in developing an Urban Economic Plan, undertaking feasibility studies for key value chains and infrastructure projects and development of Bylaws to attract investors.

The SUED team is currently supporting the municipality to develop by laws which will help in service delivery.

The proposed by-laws cover: Land Use and Control, Agricultural Produce Aggregation, Trade Promotion and Regulation,Waste Management, Animal Health & Urban Livestock Management, and Environmental Management

On Thursday, Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. met with SUED Program Manager Lain Nelson and Governance Advisor Jeremiah Nyambane to discuss the program’s implementation. Also in attendance were Lands and Urban Planning Executive Committee Member Dr. Paul Musila, Wote Municipality Manager Evelyn Mutua and Emali-Sultan Hamud Manager Phillip Ngila

The by-laws will later be customized for Emali-Sultan Hamud and Mbooni-Kee municipalities.

NLC IN BID TO RESOLVE LAND INJUSTICES

The National Land Commission (NLC) is in Makueni County in an effort to address historical land injustices. NLC Vice Chair, Getrude Nguku, who led a team from Nairobi, told Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. that during their two-day visit in the County, they will look into 14 land cases, verifying documents and also undertake site visits.

Nguku asked parties involved in all historical land injustices in the country to seek mediation for faster resolution of cases.

Governor Mutula cited land injustices, including cases involving Manooni and Mulima dams, as major barriers to development and acces to clean water in the County and requested that such cases be expedited.

He also urged resolution of the delayed Ukai land case affecting the South Eastern Kenya University, SEKU.

Mutula pledged full support to the NLC stressing that justice delayed is justice denied.

County officials present included Lands ECM, Dr. Paul Musila and County Attorney, Stanley Nthiwa. Nguku was accompanied by Head of the Historical Land Injustices Secretariat, Edmond Gichuru and Commissioner Tiyah Galgalo among others.

URBAN LAND USE PLANS – Kathulumbi, Kalawa, Kwakathoka, Thithi, Kiboko and Kayata

Cabinet on Monday approved local, physical and land use plans for 6 towns in Makueni County for submission to the County Assembly.
The plans are for Kathulumbi & Kalawa Towns (Mbooni), Kwa Kathoka (Makueni), Thithi & Kiboko (Kibwezi West) and Kayata in Kilome.
Upon approval by the Assembly, the County Government will embark on surveying and processing of ownership documents.
The detailed maps are shown below:

MAKUENI HOSTS COUNTIES DIALOGUE AND LAND CLINICS ON LAND GOVERNANCE AND LAND USE PLANNING

Makueni County today hosted the Counties Dialogue and Land Clinics on Land Governance and Land Use Planning, officially opened by Dr. Paul Musila, CECM for Lands, accompanied by the ECM for Trade, CECM for Finance, Chief Officer Lands, County Solicitor, County officials, and Members of the County Assembly Lands Committee.

The forum was organised by the Kenya Institute of Planners in collaboration with the National Land Commission, Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), Council of Governors, and the Makueni County Government.

While addressing the forum, Dr. Musila emphasised the importance of integrated land use planning as a foundation for development.

The Dialogue sought to:

Address Land succession in the county

Foster partnerships for sustainable and inclusive land use planning.

Address challenges such as land tenure insecurity, urbanisation pressures, and environmental sustainability.

Enhance capacity and knowledge sharing among county stakeholders.

Promote participatory approaches in land governance for equitable development.

Makueni County remains committed to strengthening land governance systems as a key pillar for sustainable socio-economic growth and harmonious communities.