Kirinyaga: The government has intensified efforts to formalise land tenure in colonial villages across the nation’s settlements, aiming to transition residents from informal occupancy to formal ownership.
According to Kenya News Agency, this initiative is part of the Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Project (KISIP II), supported by the World Bank and Agence Fran§aise de D©veloppement (AFD). Implemented by the national government in collaboration with county departments of Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development, the project involves beaconing and land surveys to facilitate the issuance of title deeds. The aim is not only to provide ownership documents but also to enhance living conditions in informal settlements.
KISIP II also focuses on upgrading roads, drainage systems, and essential amenities to transform these areas into organized residential neighborhoods. In Kirinyaga County, where KISIP is regularising 11 colonial villages, over 1,600 residents are expected to benefit. These upgrades are anticipated to improve livelihoods and resolve decades of land tenure insecurity.
A spot check by KNA in Kerugoya observed that many beneficiaries expressed satisfaction with the progress, despite awaiting full implementation. Humphrey Mureithi, a resident of Mukinduri village and village chairman, highlighted the longstanding uncertainty due to unclear land boundaries, which often led to disputes.
Mureithi noted that the KISIP project brought new hope to residents, with many dreaming of better opportunities by selling plots and relocating. He reported that the project is about 75% complete, with land mapping done, but final ownership verification is ongoing. Despite challenges like small plot sizes and joint ownership, Mureithi remains optimistic about the potential benefits.
Joel Macharia of Kamwiru village in Kirinyaga Central Sub-County expressed gratitude for KISIP’s role in resolving land disputes and emphasized the importance of receiving title deeds for accessing loans and improving livelihoods. Similarly, Josephine Waruguru Wachira from Ithairine village stressed the need for formal ownership documents to access loans, sell land, or develop it.
Residents in Kirinyaga have lived for over 60 years without formal land rights, leading to dilapidated homes. Over the past two years, KISIP II has focused on enhancing tenure security and infrastructure in urban informal settlements. Key components include institutional strengthening, land tenure regularisation, infrastructure development, and planning for sustainable urban growth, often supported by community-led initiatives.
