{"id":712892,"url":"http://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/712892/?format=json","text_counter":337,"type":"speech","speaker_name":"Sen. Muthama","speaker_title":"","speaker":{"id":96,"legal_name":"Johnson Nduya Muthama","slug":"johnson-muthama"},"content":"Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, this is a different matter that has been sanctioned by the Chairperson, Committee on Land and Natural Resources. On 25th February 2016, pursuant to Standing Order No.45 (2) (b), I sought a Statement from the Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Land and Natural Resources regarding the management of community and public land in Machakos County. On 3rd May 2016, the Cabinet Secretary for Land, Housingand Urban Development responded to the Committee and the Chairperson responded to my Statement on 13th October 2016 in the Chamber. Thereafter, the House deliberated on the response and found it unsatisfactory. Members raised concerns about the ongoing subdivisions of land in question and resolved that henceforth, the demarcation, allotment and issuance of title deeds of the said pieces of land in question be stopped until the issue is resolved. The Chair directed the Standing Committee on Lands and Natural Resources to invite the Cabinet Secretary for Land, Housing and Urban Development and the Chair of National Land Commission (NLC) to a meeting with Senators to deliberate on this important matter. Indeed, he directed that all committee meetings scheduled on the same time be suspended to allow Senators time to attend and participate in this important meeting. The Cabinet Secretary for Land, Housing and Urban Development appeared before the meeting of Senators on 16th of November 2016 and it was agreed that he responds substantively by 29th November 2016. He also undertook to write a letter to stop the demarcation, allotment and the issuance of title deeds regarding the plots of land LR No.149/R and LR No.149/2.in Kiima Kiu and LR/104259 in Athi River, Machakos County. I would like the Committee to report on the status and when the Cabinet Secretary wrote the letter to state the said demarcation, allotment and freeze on issuance of title deeds on the said pieces of land. Secondly, they should produce the response as has been received from the Cabinet Secretary on the management of the land in question. Mr. Temporary Speaker, Sir, I beg the indulgence of the Chair because we are about to go on recess and resume early next year. By the time we come back, we might find that the exercise has been completed and the land has been irregularly demarcated and allotted to the wrong people at the expense of the needy people of Machakos who I represent on this matter."}