People who have grabbed public land in Samar Maragua, Murang’a have been ordered to return the land failure to which the law will take its course in ensuring what belongs to the public does not become private property.
Maragua constituency Member of Parliament Mary Waithera (Wamaua) while addressing exasperated residents in a public forum at Mariki grounds, Maragua on Wednesday observed that the pleas of the residents to have their land handed back to them including the Mariki dam have been heard and action will be taken against the grabbers.
“Public social amenities belong to the public and it is unacceptable that some people sold or gave away land belonging to the public in this area, the makaburini area, the market area and other places” she noted
“Some officers even took money from the public and promised some of the residents’ title deeds to the land they are on, and this has never materialized” she added
Wamaua further noted that some maps were even changed and buyers fully cognizant of that fact went ahead and bought and developed the land which belongs to the public.
The M.P also took a swipe at the alleged grabbers who did not honor the invite to attend the meeting despite having received the invite and ordered that they avail themselves in the subsequent forums that will be held.
She challenged them to avail themselves with all the documents that show they are the legitimate owners of the land in dispute.
On his side, Murang’a South Deputy County Commissioner Gitonga Murungi assured the public of his commitment to ensure the grabbed land is returned back to the public.
He urged them to remain calm and peaceful and allow the administration to follow the right channels of ensuring public amenities remain public.
The residents had complained that the Nginda samar block one mariki dam which has been accessible to them for farming and drinking water for many years was last year claimed to be a private property and a fence put around it denying them access to it.
They reported having received trespassing threats from the purported owners