Government Orders Foreigners to Surrender Freehold Tittles

By Robby Ngoba.

Email, thecoastnewspaper@gmail.com

The government wants all foreigners holding freehold title deeds in the Coast region to surrender them to the Ministry of Lands and Public Works’ lands registry.

Lands cabinet secretary Alice Wahome, addressing hundreds of residents during the opening Malindi Subcounty’s lands office, said the move was aimed to stop illegal lands transactions and protect both locals and foreigners from fraudulent activities.

She expressed concern that foreigners in the region have been possessing freehold title deeds which was against the law.

“There are foreigners particularly in Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa and Lamu who have stayed peaceful with us for years but there are some unscrupulous individuals, some include lands officers who lied to them and issued them tittles that are freehold. This is wrong, you cannot posses freehold tittle if you are a non-Kenyan.”

According to her foreigners are only permitted to hold land through leases not exceeding 99 years.

“Article 65 of the 2010 enacted constitution, states that a freehold property has an a asset that is free from hold- meaning there are no holding charges. Once a person buys a freehold property such as land, ownership is full transferred to the buyer as the initial price cover everything.”

The secretary highlighted that the directives were part of the government efforts to enforce land ownership laws stressing that many foreigners have been duped due to a lack of knowing the country’s lands laws.

“The ministry of lands already streamline several steps aiming to reduce fraudulent activities, these includes digitising lands transactions.”

The CS was accompanied by lands and physical planning secretary administration Maalim Mohamed, Kilifi County governor Gideon Mung’aro, Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi (host), Paul Katana (Kaloleni), Ken Chonga (Kilifi South), Owen Baya (Kilifi North), Kilifi County Commissioner Josephat Biwot among a host of MCAs.

Malindi MP Mnyazi, on her part, said the new lands office was a long awaited dream for the people of Malindi and its environ.

According to her the facility will serve residents of Malindi, Magarini and some parts of Ganze and Kilifi North who previously had to travel to Kilifi or Mombasa for land related services.

Gov Mung’aro urged the national government to reduce interest rates on land for residents, adding that it would address historical land ownership challenges and promote socio-economic development.

“The national government should consider lowering interest rates associated with land purchases, this will address historical land injustices and ensure equitable access to land ownership,” he said.

The governor insisted that land documents were crucial for economic empowerment, enabling individuals to access credit, invest in land development and participate fully in the formal economy.

The CS further acknowledged that the government would not spare officers implicated in cases involving fraudulently in acquiring parcels of land.

She disclosed that fake land deals was a major setback currently dogging her ministry.

“There are people whose work from morning to evening is to devise ways and means of how they can swindle other people’s parcel of land.

These people sometimes spend up to 4 years before they can strike and defraud you of your pice of land.”

Some, according to her, are even assisted by officers to fraudulently acquire land using shortcuts from her ministry.

“We have agreed as a ministry that there is no body who will survive as an officer of the government if caught defrauding citizen of their properties.

Personally, I will not spare you. You will be arrested, persecuted and loose your job.”