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{
    "id": 1457764,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1457764/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 214,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Okiya Omtatah",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to contribute to this amendment Bill. I have looked at it and I stand to support it with amendments. To begin with, the Amendment Bill seeks to expand Sections 2 and 12 of the Land Act. In Section 2, it introduces a new definition of the registrar which I think is proper. In Section 12, it seeks to introduce new subsections which are, 13 to 16, a, b, and c. If you look at the tenor of the amendments and the memorandum of objects, it is basically filling a lacuna that could be used by people deliberately through action or by omission to allow for improper action to take place. So, basically, this Bill requires that wherever public land has been allocated to a public entity, it must then immediately be registered. In Busia County, the county that elected me, there was a problem with the Malaba Market. Malaba Market was purchased by the County Council, which is now a county property and it was never registered. After some time, the initial owner or the successor to the title of the initial owner, through some dubious court process, purported to have gained back ownership, took over the market and is now the one charging people. So, if that land had been registered, such omissions would not have happened. When you come down to the suggestions, it is really good that they have suggested that when land is surrendered or allocated to a public utility, it must be registered. That secures that land properly. The only thing that I find needs to be added to this Bill is; what happens to those officials who fail to register land under their watch. I do not see any punitive measures here being taken to enforce this provision. These people can easily sit back while they have an obligation because there are no consequences. Therefore, there are loopholes whereby you get land being allocated to a public utility and then everything goes quiet. Then quietly, you will find that the title deed has The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}