Kisumu: Kisumu County Commissioner Benson Leparmorijo has cautioned chiefs and their assistants against signing land agreements, citing that such actions undermine their credibility. Leparmorijo directed that local administrators should focus on their core mandate of maintaining peace and resolving disputes, including land conflicts, within their jurisdictions.
According to Kenya News Agency, he expressed concern that some chiefs and assistant chiefs have been presiding over irregular land transactions, tarnishing the reputation of the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAO). "I ask all our chiefs and assistant chiefs to stop meddling in land issues. Land matters have ruined the reputation of the administration because when you sign a sale agreement, it is assumed you are the one who has sold the land," he said.
The commissioner made the remarks during the installation of Joshua Muga as the new chief of Wawidhi Location, Nyando Sub-County, at Apondo Primary School. He cited Seme Constituency as a hotspot for land injustices, where some sellers fraudulently dispose of the same parcel to multiple buyers. "Someone sells land today, and when the value appreciates, they again resell it to another unsuspecting buyer - driven purely by greed for money," he said.
Leparmorijo also revealed that succession and inheritance disputes are the most prevalent grievances among households in Kisumu. He urged the chiefs to ensure rightful beneficiaries are identified in estate matters and also identify "red flags" on succession disputes. "When asked to write a succession letter for court, do it without conditions and ensure the rightful beneficiaries are named," he advised.
Leparmorijo further urged families pursuing succession matters to agree on and formally endorse an administrator for a deceased's estate, cautioning against abuse of the role. "We have witnessed cases where someone is given the role of administrator, then transfers the title into their own name, sweeps away everything, and disinherits the real beneficiaries. That happens very often," he stated.
The County Commissioner called on chiefs to step up public awareness campaigns on succession matters to curb inheritance-related disputes across the region.