The government has initiated the process of revoking a title deed irregularly issued to a private investor for a 2,000-acres parcel of land set aside for conservation activities at Lake Challa in Taveta sub-county.

The community living around the cross-border lake had set aside the land for conservation in 2013 where eco-friendly activities such as tree-planting, bee-keeping, canoeing and fishing were done.

Taveta Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Mericho said the government had rapidly moved in to recall the title deed issued to ensure the land was reserved for the activities it was set aside for. 

He explained land was to be registered as Challa Conservancy but ended up being registered as a limited company.

Through the dodgy registration process, the land parcel had been converted from a public property for the community into a privately owned asset.

“The government has recalled the title deed for revocation. The anomaly in registration was noted quickly.

It will be corrected and restored to what it was originally meant for,” he said.

Faceless entities

Reports say the title deed was originally set under the Lake Challa Conservancy area.

Instead, the title came out registered under Lake Challa Conservation Limited implying the community land was owned by a company with directors and members.

This brazen land-grabbing attempt shocked the residents who called for a probe on the faceless entities behind this shady move when private surveyors descended on the land and started mapping points to erect beacons in mid-2018. 

Elders and leaders from the region raised alarm and called for government intervention. Former governor John Mruttu said thousands of local residents were at risk of being denied access to the scenic lake that borders Tanzania. 

He added that the investor would have denied the community their right to access land they had owned for centuries.