AFC ISSUES MURI FARM SQUATTERS WITH TITLE DEEDS

Tuesday, 27th August 2019. Over 300 squatters on the Muri farm in Machakos County received their title deeds from the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC). The titles were issued to schools, churches and those squatters who have paid for their parcels of land. The exercise is part of the Government’s commitment to ensure that all its citizens lead a dignified and productive life. Speaking during the issuance of the title deeds the Guest of Honour, Machakos Governor, Dr. Alfred Mutua said it was a reprieve to the land owners who had suffered for so long without knowing their fate. “Today is a culmination of a long journey that began in 1933. Thanks to many endless meetings between the Muri farm residents, the able team from the Agricultural Finance Corporation led by Hon. Franklin Bett, and my government,” Hon. Mutua further congratulated the Corporation for coming up with an innovative mechanisms to settle the squatters saying, “Finally Muri farm residents have a sense of belonging, without fear of eviction notices or disputes among themselves. Thanks to the able team from Agricultural Finance Corporation led by Hon. Franklin Bett for this.” AFC Chairman Hon. Franklin Bett said that the exercise was part of a broader Government agenda to bolster agriculture. “I am confident that by having your land rights you can now engage in commercial farming activities thereby raising your incomes and supporting achievement of food security and nutrition in this county.” Hon. Bett urged the remaining squatters to ?nalize on their payments and get their title deeds of the pieces of land they occupy. He further encouraged those who received their titles not to sell off the land and advised them to use the same to uplift their living standards. On her part, Susan Wambua, a beneficiary said it was a dream come true for them to finally have their own land. She said they had had to resist a series of forced evictions over the years which made their lives a nightmare. Their quest to have title deeds has been long and filled with challenges as there were so many wealthy people interested in the land.