Lamu families displaced by Shifta war demand land titles after missing out

Lamu families displaced by Shifta war demand land titles after missing out

Chairman of a committee formed to represent the residents, Sheikh Mohamed Bwana Edhwa said 1,968 title deeds were issued, but hundreds of eligible locals did not receive the documents.

More than 800 residents of Ndau Island in Lamu County who trace their displacement to the Shifta war have been left out of a recent land ownership exercise, raising concerns over whether the process will achieve its goal of resettling affected families.

The residents claim that genuine farmers were excluded from the allocation of title deeds for their farmland at Vipingoni on the mainland, while people from outside the area received plots, with some allegedly securing several parcels.

Chairman of a committee formed to represent the residents, Sheikh Mohamed Bwana Edhwa said 1,968 title deeds were issued, but hundreds of eligible locals did not receive the documents.

He said the committee wanted the government to review the beneficiaries’ list, cancel allocations found to have been irregularly made and ensure those who qualify are given a chance to secure ownership of the land.

The residents plan to present their complaints to Lamu Governor Issa Timamy and the county executive committee member for lands, Tashrifa Mohamed, seeking a review of the process.

They also questioned why the allocation exercise proceeded without what they considered adequate public participation, particularly as more than 400 acres were reportedly set aside for government use.

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An adviser to the committee, Abdulaziz Shekue Athman, said the title deed issuance was intended to formally settle families whose lives were disrupted during the Shifta war, which affected parts of the coast and North Eastern Kenya between 1963 and 1967.

During the conflict, residents were displaced from mainland villages including Kiunga, Ishakani, Mwambore, Rubu, Mvundeni, Simambaye, Bodhei, Mkokoni, Sendeni and Ashuwei. Some sought refuge on islands, including Ndau.

Abdulaziz said the current complaints had raised questions about whether the land allocation exercise had adequately considered the families it was meant to benefit.

He alleged that some beneficiaries received between five and 10 acres, while others were allocated an acre or less, without a clear explanation of the criteria used to determine the sizes of the plots.

The residents also fear that people who acquired land for speculative purposes could benefit at the expense of families who have farmed the area for years.

They cited growing investor interest in Lamu, including the planned Sh2.2 trillion refinery project associated with businessman Aliko Dangote, as a reason for concern over land ownership.

The committee wants the county and national governments to investigate the disputed allocations and give affected residents an opportunity to present evidence of their claims.

On October 3, President William Ruto issued 20,189 title deeds to residents across Lamu County during a ceremony in Mokowe. He pledged to return in December to issue additional ownership documents.

Ndau Island lies in Lamu East Sub-County, while the disputed farmland is at Vipingoni on the mainland.