Kirinyaga: Residents of 11 informal settlements in Kirinyaga County are set to receive title deeds following the commencement of beaconing and topographical surveys of their land aimed at tenure regularisation. They have long lived as squatters in these areas, historically designated as colonial villages, and will soon gain legal ownership once the exercise is completed.
According to Kenya News Agency, a technical team comprising land surveyors from the County Government, Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Programme (KISIP), and consultants from GeoDev Kenya Limited has already begun the survey work in villages such as Kagumo, Kamuiru, Rwambiti, Kiburu, Kimunye, Ithareini, Kiangoma, Mukinduri, and Kibirigwi. The County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Lands, Physical Planning and Urban Development, Samuel Kanjobe, has confirmed that the beaconing and topographical survey will conclude on Saturday with the final surveys in Ndindiruku and Githogondo villages.
The project, covering approximately 91.2 h
ectares, will result in the subdivision of land into 1,750 plots. Title deeds will be issued to 1,664 individual plot owners, while 86 plots will be reserved for public use. This initiative is supported by the World Bank (WB) and Agence Française de Development (AFD) through KISIP II, which aims to plan, survey, and issue title deeds.
Kirinyaga County Governor Anne Waiguru emphasized that the regularisation will provide security of tenure for residents who have lived on the land as squatters. She highlighted that the initiative intends to improve living conditions and infrastructure, enhancing the overall quality of life for the inhabitants.
“Our aim is to ensure people living in the colonial villages get title deeds; it is a huge step towards improving living conditions in the informal settlements. The land tenure regularisation will also help us improve infrastructure and living conditions for our people,” Waiguru stated.
Governor Waiguru assured that her administration would expedite the issuance of tit
le deeds to residents of all informal settlements once all processes are finalized. “The residents of these colonial villages will now get security of tenure to those settlements,” she added, expressing hope for improved living conditions.
Dennis Kimathi, Technical Lead at GeoDev Kenya Limited, noted that the team has also allocated land for access roads and public amenities, ensuring accessibility and government service provision. “We are planning and beaconing to eradicate informality. We have created spaces for roads, drainage, power supply, and other public amenities,” he said.
Eliud Muriithi, Chairman of the Kiburu Informal Settlement in Kirinyaga West Sub-county, expressed joy over the development, noting that some residents have lived there for over 50 years. “We are happy that finally our long wait is coming to an end and we will be able to get title deeds for our land. The beaconing of the plots will also help us end border disputes amongst us because everyone now knows where his land starts and en
ds,” he stated.
Jefitha Bundi from Ithareini colonial village in Gichugu Sub-county added that the initiative would restore dignity to those living in informal settlements. “This is a life-changing initiative, and we want to thank the County Government and KISIP. We appreciate efforts to uplift the lives of people who have lived here as squatters for many years; this project will dignify our lives,” Bundi remarked.