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{
    "id": 1278219,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1278219/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 239,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kibwezi West, MCCP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Mwengi Mutuse",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Temporary Speaker, for giving me the opportunity to contribute. At the outset, allow me to thank our colleague, Hon. Mwenje, for bringing this very important Motion for discussion in this House. As you and many Kenyans know, land is a very emotive issue. The problems that we, as a country, face relating to land emanates from historical origins. You are all aware that when the colonialsits came to our country, they took away our land. The freedom struggle that we had by Mau Mau was majorly about land. When we gained our Independence, land problems did not end. You will recall that at Independence, when those who were in the forests fighting came back, they found that their lands had been taken away by the black settlers, our people. They took money from the British Government under the Mackenzie Programme. They took away the land of our people who continued being landless. They were taken to different parts of the country to be resettled and the problems continue up to date. During the 24 years of President Moi’s regime, land was used as a political tool. Those who were loyal and supported the system were rewarded by being given land and continued the inequalities that we face to date. This House should also note that from 2005, 2006, up to about 2012, there were concerted efforts in this country to initiate genuine land reforms through the National Land Policy which was adopted. When we promulgated a new Constitution of Kenya later, Kenyans thought all the problems that we had experienced about land would be solved. Sadly, many years after the promulgation of the Constitution 2010 and enactment of many laws by this Parliament to resolve land problems, we still have land issues in our country. That is why Hon. Mwenje came to this House with a Motion seeking regularisation of land occupied by squatters, so that it becomes legally and rightfully theirs. Hon. Temporary Speaker, as we support this Motion, there are two key issues that we need to look at. There are genuine squatters. These are genuine people who occupy land, but do not have tittles to that land. We are also aware that there are people who formed themselves into groups, invaded land so as to create a semblance of ownership so that they can get title to that land in a manner that is fraudulent. As we support Hon. Mwenje’s Motion, we must, as a The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}