Govt agrees to sell land to over 5000 Taveta squatters

By Jacky Simbeiwet

The National government has agreed to resettle over 5000 squatters who are currently occupying Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) land in Taveta Sub-county.

The agreement between AFC and squatters states that the corporation will cede the land for farming to the squatters at considerable rates.

Additionally the government will offer a full waiver of any payment for the land where the squatters will build their villages.

Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) Managing Director Lucas Meso who met the squatters assured them that those willing to abide by the terms of the agreement will be given 2 acres of land each at a cost of 150,000 shillings per acre.

Meso said that AFC was very sensitive to the plight of the squatters adding that the government is committed to settling them all and none will be evicted.

Meso revealed that AFC had initially planned to auction the 7, 200 acres to recover a loan of over 400 million shillings owed to the corporation by former Taveta MP Basil Criticos.

Current Taveta MP Dr. Naomi Shaaban said the government was committed to resolving the land issues in Taita-Taveta County.

She promised the squatters in Mboghoni Ward will be resettled and be issued with title deeds before the end of this year.