Trans Nzoia County’s Lands, Housing, and Urban Development Executive, Janerose Nasimiyu Mutama, has called on residents to embrace alternative dispute resolution mechanisms (ADR) for addressing land feuds. She emphasized that prolonged legal battles often result in wasted time and unresolved issues, urging farmers and other stakeholders to consider dialogue and collaboration.
Speaking during a meeting with members of Birunda Farm in Nabiswa Ward, Kiminini Sub County, Ms. Mutama noted that many land disputes have dragged on for years in the courts, with some litigants passing away before their cases were resolved. She observed that several founders of disputed farms have fought losing battles due to court backlogs, leading to unresolved land ownership issues that often extend across generations.
“There is a bigger picture to consider,” Mutama advised, urging aggrieved parties to prioritize resolution over prolonged conflict. She highlighted the importance of addressing disputes early on, warning that unresolved feuds could continue to affect future generations.
Governor George Natembeya’s administration is committed to resolving all land disputes in the county, Mutama said, adding that the county government is working in collaboration with the national government to ensure that ownership documents are issued to bona fide landholders.
“Collaboration between the Department of Lands and the National Government seeks to resolve ongoing disputes,” Ms. Mutama explained during a meeting at the County Commissioner’s boardroom. “There is a need for dialogue and mutual understanding to reach amicable solutions.”
Trans Nzoia County Commissioner Gideon Oyagi also addressed the meeting, calling on farm leaders to engage with members to produce original documentation that could help clarify ownership and resolve disputes. He urged members to put aside their differences and find peaceful ways to resolve their land issues.
The push for ADR mechanisms marks a significant step towards ending the prolonged legal battles that have plagued the region’s land disputes, offering a path to quicker and more amicable resolutions.
