Over 1,500 squatters settled on forest land in Mautuma location, Lugari Sub County by the government, are now demanding for title deeds to affirm their safety.
Led by their spokesperson Charles Kunukha, the squatters expressed concerns following the delay by the government to process the vital ownership documents for almost two and a half decades.
“Since allocation of the farms about 23 years ago we have lived in perpetual uncertainty and fear,” they observed, arguing they were worried they may follow a similar fate as the Mau forest evictees.
The government, Kunukha revealed, pledged to hive 9,000 acres to settle the squatters but only 3,000 acres were given. He demanded the public be told what has happened to the other 6,000 acres.
“Similarly each squatter was expected to get 5 acres but were given only 2 acres,” he said.
The chairman has also appealed to the government to set aside extra land to resettle those who were settled on rocks and swampy areas. He regretted that those who settled in swampy areas have been incurring losses during heavy rain season because their property being has been washed away.
He added that it’s still a big challenge for them to carry out agricultural activities and have resorted to begging, saying the same applies to those living in rocky areas.
Kunukha appealed to area MP Ayub Savula to continue pushing the agenda in parliament and ensure they get title deeds and ensure their colleagues who don’t have land are settled, adding that there are still more than 1000 squatters who have not been given land.
