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{
    "id": 704477,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/704477/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 63,
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    "content": "(nine clans) concerning the boundary disputes between Kirinyaga and Embu counties, in respect of the 54,000 acres area known as Mwea Trust Lands. In the Petition, it was highlighted that the people of Kirinyaga County have a historical and ancestral claim to the said Mwea Trust Lands, which were unlawfully hived from the former Kerugoya Sub-district, which is now known as Kirinyaga County, to what is now Mbeere South Sub-county of Embu. It was also highlighted that at the time of presenting the Petition, the County Government of Embu had commenced the process of adjudicating and demarcating the said 54,000-acre piece of land comprising Wachoro, Karaba, Riakanau and Makima adjudication sections for allotment. As a result, tensions were rising by the day in the area due to rival claims to the land by the Mihiriga Kenda people of Kirinyaga County on one hand and the Mbeere and Kamba people of South Mbeere Sub County on the other hand. Mr. Speaker, Sir, one of the prayers contained in the said Petition was for the Senate, pending determination of the boundary issue between Kirinyaga and Embu counties, to intervene to have the process of adjudication and demarcation of Mwea Trust Lands by Embu County Government immediately halted or to be jointly undertaken by county government of Kirinyaga and Embu. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the Petition was thereafter committed to the Standing Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights, which after one year and two months, tabled its report on 6th July, 2016. In the said report, the Committee deferred consideration of the boundary issue between the two counties on the basis that a Bill on the county boundaries was due for introduction before the Senate. This is yet to be done. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the reason I am bringing up this matter is because the substance of the Petition I presented was not about the boundary issue, but rather the process by which the County Government of Embu was taking to unilaterally demarcate the Mwea Trust Lands and issue title deeds thereon to people from Embu County. This process has reportedly been completed and the County Government of Embu commenced issuance of title deeds relating to the land. This is despite the pronouncements of the Senate on the matter being; that the process be suspended pending resolutions of the boundary issue as long as there exists a valid court order stopping the process in a case followed by the County Government of Kirinyaga. Mr. Speaker, Sir, more shocking is the fact that no less than the Chairperson of the National Land Commission, Mr. Mohamed Swazuri, has said that the process of the issuing of the said title deeds will proceed regardless of whether there is a court order in place stopping the said process. This matter is important to the people of Kirinyaga. As we speak, tension is high in the area and it is important that something is done urgently to prevent the situation from escalating further. I, therefore, request that you direct that the Chairperson of National Land Commission appears before the relevant Committee of this House to respond to why the Commission is promoting the disregard of court orders. Further, the Chairperson should be required to explain why, instead of addressing the issue of historical land injustices meted against the people of Kirinyaga with regard with Mwea Trust Lands, the The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate"
}