By Shammah Oketch
The County Government of Siaya, through the Department of Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development, in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Pamoja for Transformation Trust, conducted public participation forums at Ukwala Town Hall and Sega to collect views on the proposed Siaya County Draft Land Management Policy.
Speaking during the forums, Director of Physical Planning Mr. Maurice Ochieng' presented an overview of the draft policy, highlighting its key focus areas, including land administration and management, land use planning, land information management, and alternative dispute resolution. He noted that the policy seeks to strengthen land governance, improve access to land services, and promote efficient and sustainable management of land resources across the county.
Participants were taken through the policy's key proposals, which include promoting inclusive land ownership, encouraging investment, optimizing leased land, enhancing revenue collection, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, digitizing land transactions, establishing land banking systems, improving land survey and demarcation, and integrating Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to support effective land administration and planning.
Former Administrative Officer Mr. Samuel Ochanda facilitated a session on joint ownership, explaining it as a legal arrangement where two or more individuals share ownership of property. He emphasized the importance of clear ownership agreements, shared responsibilities, and mutual decision-making to reduce disputes and ensure proper management of jointly owned assets.
The Director also guided participants through the succession process, explaining the legal procedures involved in transferring a deceased person's property to rightful beneficiaries. He underscored the importance of adhering to the prescribed legal framework to protect beneficiaries' rights and minimize conflicts.
Discussions at the Sega forum focused on issues affecting the area, with residents raising concerns over land disputes associated with gold mining activities, the planning and development of emerging urban centres such as Sega Market, and the roles of the National and County Governments in land management. Participants also sought clarification on the functions of the Land Control Board in land transactions.
Responding to the concerns, Mr. Ochieng' elaborated on the relationship between the National and County Governments in land administration, explaining their respective mandates and the role of the Land Control Board in regulating controlled land transactions. He further highlighted the importance of land titling, county valuation rolls, and sustainable management of natural resources, expressing concern over the environmental impact of illegal gold mining.
The forums provided residents and stakeholders with an opportunity to contribute to the formulation of the Siaya County Land Management Policy, with the Department encouraging continued public participation to ensure the final policy reflects the aspirations of the people and promotes equitable, efficient, and sustainable land governance in the county.