Confusion has gripped residents of Mkocheni and Kachero villages in Taita Taveta County after the government issued defective title deeds bearing mobile phone numbers instead of national identification numbers. The blunder has left residents stranded and uncertain about the legitimacy of their land ownership documents.
Speaking on Monday, October 13, the residents expressed their frustration over the irregularities, noting that some title deeds had incorrect names while others had no ID numbers at all. “We do not even trust the title deeds because when they came, some had mobile phone numbers instead of ID numbers. They had to be taken back for correction, and we have yet to receive them,” one resident lamented.
The affected individuals, many of whom were allocated two-acre plots, said they have been unable to build homes or settle on the land due to the missing documentation. The situation has particularly affected elderly residents and children, many of whom are now sleeping in the cold following forced evictions earlier this month.
On Sunday, October 5, Mkocheni and Kachero residents were evicted from their homes near Lake Jipe, an action that the Taita Taveta County government has strongly condemned. Deputy Governor Christine Kilalo accused powerful individuals of orchestrating the evictions in defiance of a court order issued on June 25 that barred any form of eviction or interference.
“This is a blatant violation of constitutional rights. The evictions were carried out without notice, public consultation, or humane resettlement,” Kilalo said during a press briefing on October 7.
Residents are now urging both local and national leaders to intervene and ensure the correction of the faulty title deeds and the protection of their land rights.
