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{
    "id": 585489,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/585489/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 252,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. (Ms.) Kanyua",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 981,
        "legal_name": "Priscilla Nyokabi Kanyua",
        "slug": "priscilla-nyokabi-kanyua"
    },
    "content": "that the Departmental Committee on Lands has brought a Report on the resettlement of squatters in the three farms to this House. Of course, we hope that they bring more because we are aware that we have very serious questions on the squatters and other landless persons. They are questions that we need to continuously ask and look for answers to them. On the recommendations that the Committee has done, I will really commend the approach that they have taken. It is an approach of dispute resolution, engagement and consultation. It is an approach that puts the NLC in the centre of the solutions. I am particularly looking at the Mathengeta, Tumutumu and Riakanau farms and the proposals that they have given. The recommendation that the NLC solves this matter once and for all after investigations is one that I support. Asking the NLC to look at the plight of squatters living on the farms is a recommendation I also support. One of the things that we will be following very closely is the implementation of the recommendations of the House. As a country, we rarely implement what we say. Both the current Speaker and those we have had before have ruled that the House does not act in vain. The House does not debate or pass recommendations in vain. If the House passes the recommendations today, they will have to be implemented and NLC will have to look at this Report and follow what the Committee is asking it to do not only in the case of Mathengeta but also in Tumutumu and all of the other three cases. We will be urging the NLC to also continuously engage on matters of resettlement of squatters in this country after looking at the Report. It is very regrettable to see the NLC, a Commission that we all had a lot of hope in terms of settling land disputes in this country--- Instead of getting into the task of handling land disputes in our country, we have seen the NLC spend a considerable amount of time battling with the line Ministry which is the Ministry of Lands. Those squabbles are not helpful. The work we want to see is the work that relates to squatters, historical injustices and work that should be done on lands. Even as we talk about the issue of resettlement of squatters, we also want to urge the country to look at new models. Looking for land in Kenya is going to be an old fashioned thing. It might be better now to look for housing. Our country needs to invest in urban and modern housing and slum upgrading. On the many of the squatters who are sitting on very prime land, the option for the Government would be to buy that land, put up houses for the squatters and extra houses for the middle class and people who can afford. As we discuss the question of squatters we need to become creative on solutions. Solutions around land seem to be running out of fashion. Land is what we call “a finite resource”. The land that Kenya has is finite. It comes to an end at a certain point. What we need to do is to look at how to maximise on land. If you look at where Kibera sits, you will see how good slum upgrading would help us in an area like that. We would put up houses for those who live in Kibera and for many other people in Nairobi who would need housing. The land that Kibera sits on is fairy prime land and is fairly big. It is land that can be used more creatively to make housing for those who live there and leave land for social amenities like primary schools, colleges and hospitals. Those are the solutions that we should be asking as we look at this question of squatters. Hon. Temporary Deputy Speaker, I am also happy that very soon, the House will be debating the Community Land Bill together with other land laws. The Community Land Bill provides an opportunity for some of the land that is held by squatters to get a community land title. The pieces of land where squatters settle are sometimes very small that they are not viable 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."
}