The National Land Commission (NLC) Chairman Mohammed Swazuri has dismissed a report that they have been ordered out of Ardhi House Offices as ‘rumours’.
Swazuri also quickly indicated that they are in office legally as their mandate is outlined in the constitution hence those fighting them should first amend the constitution.
Speaking in Nakuru on Friday after meeting over 1,000 members of Kalimbula Investments Company, Swazuri said he is yet to receive any document requiring the commission to vacate. He said that he learnt of the issue through one of the local newspapers.
The chairman said that the commission was in Ardhi House to stay and those spreading rumours should find some other work to do. He said that no amount of intimidation will deter the commission from performing its duties.
“We have been fought up and down but we are here to stay unless the constitution is changed. We are here to protect Kenyans,” he said.
Meanwhile, Swazuri accused Ministry of Land under acting Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of frustrating its work. Swazuri indicated that, the Ministry has opposed the Historical Land Injustices Bill that the commission has drafted after numerous and wide consultation in the country and outside the country.
“The Ministry has frustrated the enactment of the Historical Injustices law for reason better known to the, the bill will address injustices done to squatters and other Kenyans who have suffered on the hand of grabbers,” Swazuri said.
On the controversy surrounding land located where the eastern by pass is to be constructed on Outering Road, Swazuri said that his commission conducted a thorough inspection, survey and scrutiny of past documents where it emerged that a physical planner fraudulently made his own drawings to imply that the bypass ought not to pass there.
He said that as the situation is now, they said land belongs to the government and the Kenya urban roads authority should consult with those who bought the land with a view to compensating them or otherwise.
The chairman said that it is clear in the land act that all public utilities acquired by private individuals will be reverted back to the government through revocation of their title deeds.