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{
    "id": 236957,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/236957/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 238,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Serut",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Planning and National Development",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 297,
        "legal_name": "John Bomet Serut",
        "slug": "john-serut"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, for affording me this opportunity to speak on this very important Motion moved by my friend, Mr. Hamisi. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, from the outset, I support this Motion. This Motion is about ownership of land, discouragement of idle land and ownership by those who have lived on land for more than 12 years. The problem of squatters started in 1895 when the British moved in this country and started displacing the indigenous people, from the Coast Province, the highlands and every corner of this country. The problem of squatters has been with us for a long time. I want to lay blame on the first two regimes of KANU. There was a lot of laxity. By then, the squatters were few. If the first or second regime would have sorted out this problem, it would have settled some people and we would be having less people than what we have today. However, because of politics, I think there was a lot of fear that the two regimes would actually lose because it is the squatters who voted them in. The current Government is trying to solve this problem. In Mount Elgon Constituency, for example, we have the squatter problem. I am sure hon. Members have heard of people killing each other as a result of land issues. As I speak now, 15 people in my constituency have lost their lives as a result of land squabbles at a place called Chepyuk. A few November 1, 2006 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES 3299 years ago, we only had 609 households to be settled. Today we are talking of 7,000 people to be settled on less than 1,000 plots. If these people would have been settled, I think we would not be having that problem. Mr. Temporary Deputy Speaker, Sir, having said that, I would like to agree with what the Mover said. However, I also want to believe that the Mover's intention is to work within the law. That is in relation to the sanctity of a title deed. I want to believe that the Mover is talking in terms of compulsory acquisition as provided for by the law. However, I have a problem, does the Government have enough resources? The answer might be \"no\". However, the onus lies with the Government to ensure that all Kenyans are settled. We, as Kenyans, should ask ourselves---"
}