Demolitions are looming in Taita-Taveta County after the county government disclosed its intentions of reclaiming public land grabbed by private individuals especially in urban areas.
Mwandawiro Mganga, the County Executive Committee Member for Lands, said plans were underway to map out where the exercise will start as he stated that no public land that was irregularly allocated to an individual will be left untouched.
Mr. Mganga expressed concerns that huge tracks of land and prime plots in urban centers like Voi and Taveta which belonged to government were occupied by private individuals who had no business occupying them.
“We have given them ultimatums. Any public land that was taken away must be returned to the rightful owners. The land belongs to the people,” he said.
Already, Sh. 3 million have been allocated for reclaiming and fencing land parcels in Voi. The county intends to convert the land into recreational parks where members of public can visit and relax with their loved ones.
Amongst the targeted land parcels for reclamation are forest land in Voi town. The land’s boss said those with buildings on the targeted area will be advised to relocate them before bulldozers come calling.
He added that the county has an elaborate plan to map and take back all land parcels that had gone to private individuals over the past years.
The county has reclaimed some public land in Bughuta and Wundanyi. There is another tussle over land at Vuria Hill in Wundanyi between the county government and state broadcaster over the allocation of land where the transmitter masts are installed.
