Residents of Lugari Sub County have been cautioned against falling prey to unscrupulous individuals allegedly extorting money and registering as would-be beneficiaries of government forest land. Speaking at Lumakanda grounds, acting Kakamega County Commissioner Ngalia Ndaya warned the alleged fraudster, saying the government has yet to lift the settlement ban on its forests. ‘I would like to caution members of the public that the government has not de-gazetted any forest land in Kakamega County. Those individuals purportedly moving around registering the would-be beneficiaries and those accepting to be registered are doing so illegally.’ He warned. Ndaya asked Lugari Deputy County Commissioner Simon Mutai to seek audience with his Turbo Counterpart and find ways of ending the fraud. ‘I am asking the two administrators and the Directorate of Criminal Investigation to urgently act on the issue and protect residents from the fraudsters purportedly registering them at a fee,’ he said. Ndaya asked members of the public who have already been swindled to make formal police reports that will aid in investigations, apprehension, and prosecution of perpetrators. Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe, who raised the issue, asked the government to act and issue title deeds to squatters who have been living in Lugari Forest for years to protect them from land cartels and fraudsters. He said unscrupulous individuals have been meeting unsuspecting members of the public at the Turbo Assistant County Commissioner’s office in Uasin Gishu County under the deception of subdividing government land. Mugabe warned the suspects that they won’t be tolerated, saying no one from another county will come and plan for Kakamega residents. Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula called on the Directorate of Criminal Investigation to swiftly act and bring the culprits to book. He said there is no way Kakamega leaders will sit back and watch those who elected them defraud people from other counties. ‘The conmen have been asking for Sh15, 000 for those interested in 50 acres in Lugari Forest, while those interested in 7 acres part with Sh 5500.Where is that land? he asked.
Source: Kenya News Agency