6 Land Directives by Ruto That Shocked Kenyans

6 Land Directives by Ruto That Shocked Kenyans

6 Land Directives by Ruto That Shocked Kenyans

The land reforms outlined in President William Ruto’s agenda were a major discussion point during the campaign season leading up to the 2022 General Elections.Many Kenyans were hopeful that the Head of State would implement measures to enhance their lives when he took the helm at the mansion on the hill.

One year later, the situation is significantly different, as the President has made decisions that have negatively impacted Kenyans’ quality of life.The directions have been taken differently by different Kenyans, ranging from thousands of Mavoko locals being forced to leave their homes to entire commissions losing their authority. The administration, on the other hand, insists that the policies were implemented for the benefit of the entire nation.

Here are six such directives and their effects on affected individuals.

1. Mavoko Evictions

Following President William Ruto’s revocation of all title documents to undeveloped land, thousands of families were forced to leave the Athi River land in Mavoko.

The instruction was given a day after a Machakos Court dismissed a lawsuit brought by some of the land’s residents in 2014.”It is hereby ordered that the Plaintiff’s suit be and is hereby struck out with costs to the Defendant, a copy of the proceeding and today’s ruling be supplied to the parties on payment of court fees,” said Lady Justice A. Nyukuri.

Following his order, homes estimated to be worth billions of shillings were destroyed, and 33 churches were predicted to be leveled soon after.Leaders of Machakos County and the opposition both expressed their disapproval with the action, but the state persisted in its efforts to reclaim the land that belonged to the East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC).

2. Cutting NLC’s powers

After transferring some responsibilities from the National Lands Commission (NLC) to the Ministry of Lands in May, President William Ruto caused a bit of a stir.Ruto stated that the decision to issue the roadside directive was made to terminate the Commission’s period of land compensation that had been unfair and corrupt.At the time, he said, “We want to ensure that every Kenyan is paid fairly.

However, the opposition led by Raila Odinga branded the order illegitimate and unconstitutional, claiming it would allow for the abuse of authority.

When the Ministry of Lands disclosed intentions to tax people occupying undeveloped land in February, acting under strict orders from the Head of State, landowners were shocked.Charles Hinga, principal secretary for housing, asserted that taxing vacant land will dissuade owners from hoarding it without using it for productive purposes.

3. Taxing Idle Land

He pointed out that the taxing proposal will make more land available for the Affordable dwelling Plan to create dwelling units. However, Kenyans protested the plans, claiming that some families will be compelled to give up their ancestral land, which they hold dearly.

4. Subdivision of Galana Kulalu

The planned subdivision of the Galana-Kulalu area designated for an irrigation project was abruptly stopped by the Head of State just a few months after taking the helm of the country.The head of state at the time ordered that the area be utilized for corn farming and pledged to build a dam to supply it.

“I direct Private Sector and GOK (the National Irrigation Authority) under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to work on the ready 10,000 acres to produce food starting with maize in February,” he wrote at the time.The order scrapped a plan by the administration of former President Uhuru Kenyatta that would have invited commercial parties to collaborate with the government in food production starting in 2021.

5. Eviction of Families in Kiambu

The Head of State outlined an ambitious ambition to build 200,000 affordable housing units annually when he took office.In order to reach the milestone, the Head of State had to take harsh action against alleged land squatters, including individuals who claimed ownership of government property in Kiambu County.

“We want to construct residences for citizens at a fair price. At the end of September, he said, “We want to get rid of the slums so that every person can live in a decent place that they can afford.On the site, his administration plans to build 10,000 dwelling units.

6. Re-Introduction of Logging

After reversing a logging restriction put in place by his predecessor six years prior in July, the President upset ecologically oriented groups.The Head of State explained his decision in his directive by stating that the ban had contributed to the declining fortunes.”People are having a hard time finding lumber, but forests are full of dead trees. In order to harvest mature trees, we have lifted the moratorium, the president said.The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) filed a lawsuit, and the Environment Court halted his directive as a result.

According to the Environment Court, the moratorium was lifted without proactive information sharing or public involvement.No scientific justifications or studies, according to LSK, had been made to support the lifting of the ban.