Submit claims of land injustice by September 21
August 30, 2021 | 7:21 am
Submit claims of land injustice by September 21 (the-star.co.ke)
Coast region residents have for years been complaining that outsiders seized their land, making many of them squatters.
There have been claims leading families grabbed vast swathes of land at the Coast in the early days of Independence. Cases have been documented in the Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Report, which has never been fully implement.
Sensitive parts of the report were expunged because some leading families were mentioned, some drafters refused to sign it..
Executive director Raphael Mzungu Ngoma said the law took effect in October 2016 and the window closes on September 21 this year. Claims will not be received after that date.
Ngoma said people have a responsibility to ensure all claims of historical injustices are submitted for them for investigation and redress.
Those who do not submit claims by that date must forever hold their peace, he said.
“It is the responsibility of everybody — including individuals, political leaders, religious leaders and community-based organisations — to ensure everyone affected by historic land wrongs are sensitised so they submit claims,” he said.
The IPD executive director called on political and administrative leaders to be at the forefront in sensitising Kenyans on the importance of reclaiming what is rightfully theirs.
Those who cannot read or write should seek help from individuals and organizations to prevent their grievances so they are not left out.
Section 38 of the Omnibus Land Laws Amendment Act No. 28 of 2016 amended Section 15 of the National Land Commission Act 2012.
It allowed a five-year period for aggrieved parties who suffered injustice to submit claims for redress.