Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, has directed county land officials to proceed on mandatory leave to facilitate investigations into alleged fraudulent activities in the issuance of land documents.
This move by the governor comes after he prevented the registrar from obstructing the implementation of the closure of the office for two weeks to allow for investigations.
The governor has since set up a Land Task Force tasked to ensure that all individuals involved in fraudulent activities are brought to justice. He emphasized the need for the temporary closure of the office to give detectives enough time to investigate and bring perpetrators to book.
Natembeya’s directive was made following an incident where a suspected individual, who operates a photocopy shop, was found in possession of transfer land papers, Green Cards and title deeds, and is believed to be at the heart of the fraud ring at Kitale Ardhi House.
Meanwhile, Governor Natembeya has vowed not to allow national government officials to use bureaucracy to impede his efforts to restore order to the Lands Office.
The Trans Nzoia County Commissioner confirmed that one suspect had been apprehended, and others are being sought by officers from the directorate of criminal investigations, who are handling the case.
Governor Natembeya spoke when he visited Kitale Ardhi House.
He was accompanied by county secretary Truphosa Amere, CEC for Public Service Management Sam Ojwang’, CEC for lands Janerose Mutama, county assembly lands committee members, as well as lands taskforce members, among others.
The governor has reiterated his commitment to ensuring that cartels collaborating with land officials to perpetrate injustices against innocent landowners are not tolerated. He stated that the primary objective of both national and county officers is to serve Kenyans.
