Lands, Housing, Urban Areas & Physical Planning

Land disputes derail development plans in Mumias town.
Land disputes in Mumias Sub County derail the county government plans to revamp Mumias town for investment and development growth.
Residents have expressed fear that most people will be left landless if the county government will proceed with its plans for town planning and mapping.
Led by Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) National Youth leader Rashid Mohammed, they said that the county government should be clear on their intentions of planning and mapping the town before starting the process.
“The county government might have a hidden agenda in their process to map this town, therefore, they should come out clear on their intended plans before engaging the public. We fear losing our lands yet the town has been sparked by endless land disputes” said Mohammed.
He said that business community in the town should be given alternative means of carrying out their business if they will be affected by the new plans.
However, the county government executive member in charge of Lands, Urban Areas, Housing and Physical Planning Major (Rtd) Suleiman Sumba assured them that there will be minimum disruption of business in the town when they will roll out the development plan for the town.
Speaking during the public participation forum at Mumias Cultural center, Sumba said that the public will be involved in all stages of the town planning and development to avoid cases of residents raising issues that they were locked out of the process that aims to attract investors in the town that has lagged behind in development for decades.
“We will have minimal disruption of business, over 80 per cent of business will not be affected when we will be rolling out our urban development plans. We will involve all residents to avoid confusion and complaints from the public. The town has been left behind in development projects” said Sumba.
He acknowledged that constant wrangles in Mumias have been the major setback to the development of the town and his department is set to offer lasting solutions and open gateway for the growth of the town.
He cited lack of title deeds and land disputes among residents as the main challenge towards upgrading of the town which has stalled for many years.
“Mumias town existed long ago before towns like Kitengela, Eldoret among others but today the town is still grappling with lack of development plans as other towns are mushrooming with
development projects. Land disputes and lack of title deeds is the major setbacks of development growth in this town” Sumba noted.
Kakamega county government plans to revamp seven towns to modern status to attract investors in different sectors, create employment opportunities and also help in realizing vision 2030.
Already the county government has partnered with World Bank to develop Kakamega town to modern and world class town.