CS Ogamba Issues Directives Regarding School Title Deeds
Education Cabinet Secretary Julius Ogamba has issued a directive mandating all Regional, County, and Sub-County Education Officers to ensure that schools within their jurisdictions obtain title deeds within a one-year timeframe.
The Cabinet Secretary articulated that the absence of title deeds in numerous educational institutions has hindered their development, thereby depriving students of an adequate learning environment. He confirmed that all land that had been unlawfully appropriated has been returned to the respective schools.
“We have instructed our directors within the ministry to conduct an audit of all schools to identify those lacking title deeds, so that we can facilitate the acquisition of these documents in collaboration with the Ministry of Lands,” he stated.
Ogamba’s Perspective on Land Grabbing in Schools
A significant number of public schools are operating without legal documentation to substantiate their ownership, placing them in a precarious position against land encroachment.
A 2023 study conducted by the Shule Yangu campaign alliance revealed that only 11,974 out of the nation’s 32,643 public schools, representing a mere 37 percent, possess title deeds. Consequently, over 20,000 schools remain susceptible to fraudulent land encroachments and illicit activities.
CS Alice Wahome’s Warning to Land Grabbers
Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome has announced the establishment of regional teams tasked with addressing land grabbing issues, urging school administrators to promptly submit property records.
“We are not merely safeguarding land; we are safeguarding education,” she emphasized.
A senior official from the National Lands Commission noted that religious organizations holding original titles are facing bureaucratic delays and a lack of coordination among the Ministry of Lands, the National Land Commission, and the Survey of Kenya, which are significant impediments to the process.
“Land grabbing persists due to systemic deficiencies. A cohesive land policy and comprehensive database are essential,” he remarked.
As of 2019, only 30 percent of the 32,354 public schools had secured title deeds, leaving over 22,648 schools vulnerable to potential land appropriation. Approximately 4,100 schools have formally reported being at risk.
This alarming situation is compounded by reports indicating that eight acres of land belonging to Mathari Teaching and Referral Hospital have been encroached upon by an unidentified private developer, who has erected a temporary fence around the unfenced section of the property.