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{
    "id": 1052144,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1052144/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 145,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. (Prof.) Jacqueline Oduol",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13514,
        "legal_name": "Jacquiline Adhiambo Oduol",
        "slug": "jacqueline-adhiambo-oduol"
    },
    "content": "I support the amendment because there is need to look at the way we settle disputes and ensure that public land does not fall into hands of those who want to abuse and shortchange the citizenry and those relying on the Government and those who are in charge to protect them. Hon. Deputy Speaker, as it has been indicated by other Hon. Members, land issues are not only emotive, but in disputes what would arise in the absence of this kind of legal specification, citizens are at the mercy of the courts, title deeds and in many cases, it is impossible to determine original title deeds. Hon. Deputy Speaker, my main reason for supporting this Bill is because of the way it addresses disputes. We used to have tribunals that addressed land disputes, but they were removed and replaced with the magistrate courts which were given the jurisdiction. They were effective because in a number of cases, those who are on the ground find it difficult to engage yet they have facts. The tribunal was able to engage the ordinary citizens, who could approach them when they were aggrieved in instances where public land was being used inappropriately. When the magistrate court was given the jurisdiction to handle those disputes, we have so many unresolved disputes because the court system is not only intimidating, but even those who are supposed to address them are not able to. When we look at the issues of land, they tend to be adversarial and at the end of the day, proof of ownership and protecting land in the interest of the people become difficult. I support the Bill because it is clear that in Kenya, we not only have challenges in handling disputes relating to land, but also with allocation, implementation and protection of policies that would want to ensure that land allocated to public utilities is not used inappropriately. I support the Bill."
}