Do not pass the controversial land Bills – Kalonzo Musyoka

Wiper Democratic Movement leader and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (CORD) principal Kalonzo Musyoka has cautioned the National Assembly against passing the controversial Community Land Bill 2015 that have elicited debate on their legality.

Musyoka says the Bill will bring conflict among communities and constitutional offices saying that the land issue is emotive and needs to be handled carefully.

The former Vice President said the Bill, as drafted, will strip the National Land Commission powers to superintend land matters in Kenya thus creating room for land grabbing.

He said Kenyans will not sit back and watch as the Jubilee Government continues to reverse the gains attained by the Constitution of Kenya 2010.

“This government wants to strip the Land Commission off its mandate so that they create room for land grabbing,” he said.

Musyoka, who was speaking Sunday at the Covenant Church International in Olopito, Narok County where he attended Sunday service and a fund-raiser in aid of the Church, also challenged the Church to make their voice heard on national issues affecting the country.

“I am calling on the church to stand for the truth, time is now for the voice of the church to be heard.”

Makueni Member of Parliament Daniel Maanzo, who accompanied Mr. Musyoka, assured the Maasai community that when the Bill comes to the floor of the House, they will reject it.

He said the Bill would bar the community from grazing in public land, which he termed as unfair and unconstitutional.

On Friday, acting Lands Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i accused those opposed to the Land Bills of being insincere.

The Lands Cabinet Secretary took issue with National Lands Commission Chairman Muhammad Swazuri’s continued criticism of the laws and asked those opposed to the Bills to present their views to the National Assembly.

Swazuri earlier on said the Bill, which is being pushed by the National Government, will not only render the commission toothless but also cripple land reforms saying that the matter may end up in court.

“After many years of fighting for devolution under a new constitution, powers are slowly being snatched from ordinary Kenyans and taken back to the national government,” said Swazuri.

It is this Bill that has seen a section of Coast MPs convene urgent meetings that are aimed at stopping Parliament from approving it.