In a significant step toward land regularization and development, members of the Khalabana Settlement Scheme in Endebess Sub County, Trans Nzoia County, participated in a stakeholders’ meeting on Wednesday.
The meeting focused on the presentation of local physical and land use plans for Khalabana, one of the three informal settlement schemes earmarked to benefit from the KISIP 2 (Kenya Informal Settlements Improvement Program) funded by the World Bank.
During the meeting, Trans Nzoia County CEC Member for Lands, Physical Planning, Housing, and Urban Development, Jane Rose Nasimiyu Mutama, emphasized the importance of full public involvement in the land regularization process. She highlighted that the presentation aims to ensure that no beneficiary is left behind, ultimately leading to the satisfaction of all residents in the informal settlements.
By establishing individual plots before surveying and allocations, the process will pave the way for the issuance of land title deeds. Ms. Mutama stated, “Our goal is to prevent any objections at the tail end of the process, ensuring a smooth implementation. The stakeholders’ forum seeks agreement among project beneficiaries, promoting satisfaction with the intended procedures.”
Trans Nzoia County KISIP 2 Program coordinator Edith Baraza praised the local physical and land use plan. She emphasized that adherence to planning standards, including plot sizes, road layouts, and public utilities, minimizes interference with existing settlements. The efficient progress of this work will finally grant Khalabana informal settlement residents the long-awaited land ownership documents.
At the function, the Spatial Milestone Consultants team, led by Planner Stephen Ngare, commended the cooperation shown by the public from informal settlements. Their active involvement will expedite essential tasks such as surveys and plot allocations, ensuring that each member benefits from land ownership documents. Planner Ngare said, “The presentations mark the second-to-last stage of planning for the informal settlements upgrading program for Khalabana and Maridadi settlement schemes. Next, the team will present to the people of Maridadi in Kwanza Sub County on Thursday.”
Among the contentious issues raised by Khalabana informal settlement members were the roads within the settlement. The consensus was to set road widths at 15 meters, and 9 and 6 meters respectively within the settlement. This adjustment accommodates existing constructions and facilitates road expansion. The members also agreed on the issuance of co-owned title deeds for properties that did not meet the required land regulations and adjudication standards.
The team expressed optimism that the Khalabana informal settlement’s land regularization process would conclude within the one-year contract period, benefiting all residents with secure land tenure.
Key Points:
– Trans Nzoia County is advancing land regularization in the Khalabana Settlement Scheme.
– Full public involvement is emphasized to ensure resident satisfaction.
– The process aims to issue land title deeds after establishing individual plots.
– Local physical and land use plans adhere to planning standards to minimize disruption.
– Road widths within the settlement were agreed upon to facilitate expansion.
– The project is expected to conclude within the one-year contract period, securing land tenure for all residents.
This progress reflects Trans Nzoia County’s commitment to improving the living conditions of its residents and ensuring sustainable development through proper land management.
