The appointment of former Bahati MP Kimani Ngunjiri as the Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Lands ministry adds to a number of leaders from Nakuru county who will be sharing the national cake.

The region, despite being a key determinant in Kenyan politics, has always received a raw deal from successive governments.

However, this time, Nakuru secured the Lands docket when Mr Zacharia Njeru was appointed as Cabinet Secretary.

By the president handing the lands docket to Nakuru county, residents see this as more than just regional balance. It is an opportunity to resolve the many land issues affecting the residents.

Some of the key land challenges include lack of title deeds and other land ownership documents that has derailed development in Gilgil and Naivasha sub counties.

Nakuru also has a big portion of land in the Mau Forest region that was placed under caveat by the court following a dispute over the forest cutline.

It is also in Nakuru where the victims of the 2007 /08 post election violence victims were settled but are yet to get their land parcels following a dispute over the land ownership.

Most of the IDPs have found themselves in court trying to have the issues resolved.

Among the lands where the IDPs are battling to settle include Ndonga farm, Kisima farm, kwa Muhu farm among others.

Other disputes include fights between members of the land buying companies in Bahati, Naivasha, Gilgil and Nakuru town East.

Residents now hope the Land CS and CAS can work together to help resolve these issues out of court as well as streamline services at the Nakuru lands registry which has for long been accused of abetting corrupt land dealings.

opendajoseph@gmail.com

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Joseph Openda