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Land developers close to military establishments to seek approval from CDF - Duale

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly chambers on March 28, 2024. (Photo: DoD)

By Mary Wambui | Thursday, March 28, 2024

The CS referred to the amended Physical and Land Use Planning Act of 2019, which guides planners and developers on land use that safeguards national security.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has directed that all individuals seeking to build on land close to military establishments must get approvals from the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF).

The CS urged Kenyans to read the amended Physical and Land Use Planning Act of 2019, which guides planners and developers on land use that safeguards national security.

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"If you are a neighbour to a military camp and want to build, that which you want to build must be approved by the CDF because our premises are security installations. Even at the Department of Defence, where we are, how high you can go must be concurrent with us," the CS said.

He was speaking at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly chambers on Thursday, where he met with leaders and stakeholders to find a permanent solution to a long-standing land dispute between the Kenya Defence Forces and residents of Kiplombe.

The decades-long conflict revolves around the Kenya Ordinance Factories Corporation land and the Moi Barracks Recruits Training School in Eldoret, where approximately 1,200 families claim the parcel.

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale speaking at the Uasin Gishu County Assembly chambers on March 28, 2024. (Photo: DoD)

They include the members of the Leseru Tebeson Farmers Society, who claim ownership based on a proposed allocation by the Ministry of Lands in 2006.

A court order has since revoked the title deed due to fraudulent acquisition.

The CS said the land belongs to the KDF, who are the custodians of the legitimate title deed.

"Under the leadership of our Commander-in-Chief and that of the Ministry of Defence, we have agreed in one voice with the Ministry of Lands and the National Lands Commission that we shall solve all land conflicts we have with communities in about six counties, including Uasin Gishu, Isiolo, Meru, and so forth," said Duale.

He assured the communities in question that the KDF has decided to end the conflict so as to co-exist in harmony with them.

"We thank you (Uasin Gishu) for hosting our many military installations in this county and assure you that we want to live in harmony with the community. We are committed to resolving this matter and going to Isiolo, then Marsabit, Isiolo, Kwale, and so forth," he added.