STATE DEPARTMENT FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES MOVES TO SECURE LAND RESOURCES

By Nicholas Kigondu

The State Department for Correctional Services is fast-tracking the acquisition of title deeds for its land parcels spread across the country.

Speaking in Mombasa during a meeting with an inter-ministerial technical committee tasked with devising a strategy to unlock the land question within the department, Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco said the efforts have seen the department secure ownership documents for 15 land parcels over the last three years.

She said it was important that the department resolve the challenge of acquiring legal documents to deter any possible encroachment and grabbing by unscrupulous individuals adding that such intrusion has compromised the ability of the state department to carry out its correctional services effectively.

According to the PS, efforts to secure and reclaim the land in question should include development of a customized policy on land, leveraging best practices from other government agencies, and enhancing partnerships with critical stakeholders.

The interministerial committee has already spearheaded the acquisition of 15 new titles. According to the committee’s chair, who is also Director Planning and Development at the Kenya Prisons Service, Dan Obiero, the department is expecting a further 22 titles whose processing is at different stages.

The committee has already supported the survey of 12 parcels, eight belonging to the Kenya Prisons Service and four hosting Probation and Aftercare Service offices in phases one and two and is scheduled to survey a further seven parcels of land this financial year in five counties of Bungoma, Kericho, Kakamega, Vihiga and Nandi.   Among the recommendations of the committee include the formulation of a management plan for all the department’s land and the development of policies that align land development with existing legislation to safeguard the department’s land resources from potential encroachment and grabbing.