The National Land Commission has called for immediate cancellation of works in riparian areas along the shores of Lake Victoria.
NLC chairman Muhammed Swazuri said the Commission will cancel title deeds for grabbers of land sitting on wetland areas.
Dr Swazuri noted that acres of wetlands were demarcated and allocated to private developers on the “strength of fake documents”.
Speaking in Kisumu during the swearing in of the County Land Management Board members, Swazuri said those who have encroached wetlands must vacate.
“The law is clear on land that is along water sheds, lakes, water catchments, public water reservoirs and fish landing areas, Riparian land and territory of the sea,” he said.
Present during the event were NLC Chief Executive Officer Tom Chavangi, Governor Jack Ranguma and County Secretary Humphrey Nakitari.
The chairman said the commission will take a hard decision on those people who have grabbed and developed riparian lands.
“Nobody should invade any piece of land in wetland areas. The land belongs to the public and we are not going to tolerate such acts,” Swazuri said.
He also decried over the double and triple land allocations at Kanyakwar area in Kisumu where a piece of land is allocated to several people.
Visiting Kanyakwar village, Swazuri said the commission will probe and revoke titles of double and triple land allocations in Kisumu.
He said the Commission is committed to address land injustices and will not allow anybody to continue occupying land meant for public use.
The Commission will not be deterred by people who rush to Courts to stop us from retaking public utility land because we are guided by the law, Swazuri said.
Ranguma told the County Land Management Board chaired by Pauline Anyango Owoko to quickly resolve land disputes in Kisumu.
He raised concern over the boundary issues with Nandi and Kericho where some people have allegedly encroached lands in Kisumu County.
Ranguma said NLC is mandated to tackle land issues in consultation with county governments.
The governor said county governments can determine minimum sizes of land for demarcation and urged county security team to enforce orders from the commission.