Lungaunga residents demonstrate as they demand for land adjudication as directed by the parliamentary petition committee in November 2024.

By Reporter

Irate members of the public from Miungoni in Lungalunga demonstrated demanding that the national and county government intervene in implementing a parliamentary committee on public petition resolutions made in 2024 to have them get land.

The Wayombo community in Kidomaya/Miungoni area in Vanga ward led by Haki yetu organization said that even after the national Parliament officially recognized the ownership of Wayombo land and ordered the implementation of a land allocation plan for the Wayombo community living in accordance with the law no action has been taken,

“In November 2024, the Public Petitions Committee of Parliament issued a significant report confirming that the contested land is jointly owned by the community, the Kwale County government and the investor Velji Parbat,” said Haki yetu officer Munira Ali.

Although parliament resolution was a major historic step for a community that has lived in land insecurity for decades, and despite the legal achievements, she said that the implementation of the recommendations of Parliament has stalled.

They took issue with area MP Chiforomodo Mangale who took the petition to parliament for not giving guidance to date as well as the county government of Kwale for not taking action to divide the land.

The residents also directed their anger to the national land commission for failing to communicate on the next step to implement the issue and ensure they get their right to land as enshrined in the constitution.

“It is also important to remind the County Government that during the Parliamentary Committee meeting in 2014, the Kwale County Lands executive committee member publicly admitted that the title deeds claimed by Velji Parbat were not valid. Therefore, Parliament erred in recognizing Velji Parbat based on documents that were found to be invalid as clearly stated by the Lands CEM,” Said Munira.

According to Shee Omar a youth representative urged the county government of Kwale to make use of the budget allocated for planning and implementation of the process to start the process of granting the community title.

“This delay has caused communities who have been trying to follow up without success to give up. This is a violation of the constitutional rights of the citizens and a violation of the rule of law, “he said.

Community spokesperson Omar Juma warned that failure by the both levels of government to provide guidance on the issue the community will take law into their hands and divide the land amongst themselves come 2026.

According to Alice Samson, one of the residents, they will not continue to wait to get their right to land since the national parliament already provides for a way forward, blaming leaders for the delay.

Haki Yetu organization officer Munira Abubakar called for immediate action by the county government of Kwale, national land commission and local leaders.

“We would like to emphasize that the Wayombo and Kidomaya communities have waited a very long time. Being recognized as landowners without implementing it is tantamount to denying this community their right to land and shelter. The Parliamentary Report is a necessary guideline that must be respected and implemented. As advocates for rights, we will continue to monitor, highlight and push for the implementation of the Parliamentary Report until justice is fully achieved,” she added.