By Elias Ombogo
Over 400 squatters who live in Muri Farm, Masinga Sub County, Machakos County have finally received title deeds from the Agricultural Finance Cooperation, putting an end to years of confusion and eviction fears. The titles were issued to schools, churches and squatters who had paid for their parcels of land in an exercise aimed at ensuring non-contested ownership of land.
While issuing the title deeds to the squatters, AFC board Chair Franklin Bett said another 3,000 title deeds were pending and that once their owners finalize payments, they will receive them. Bett warned that the cooperation will not relent in efforts to retrieve property from defaulters.
Machakos Governor Alfred Mutua who graced the occasion said the journey which started way back in 1933 has borne fruits. Mutua dismissed politicians who have been planning to grab the land saying the land now belong to the residents.
According to Machakos Senator Boniface Kabaka, the residents stood to benefit through the issuance of the title deeds as they would be able to use the titles to access loans. The senator dismissed Governor Mutua assertion that he was part of politicians who were planning to grab the land.
David Nyanu, the chair Board of Management of Matema Primary and Muri Farm Secondary Schools said, finally they will now be able to access CDF funds to initiate projects in the schools.
The 2,066 acres of land has been under conflict between the community and the corporation after the latter held its title deed over unpaid bank loans.