Celebrations as Wayu Daba community in Tana River receive title deed for communal land
Husna further expressed her hopes that the DLGP will enhance food and nutrition security, livelihoods, and promote sustainable development through equitable and secure access to, and proper management of, community land.
The Wayu Daba community in Tana River County has received a title deed for their communal land through the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Digital Land Governance Programme. The title deed covers land including wetlands, forests, and other natural resources.
The programme, dubbed Support to the Attainment of Vision 2030 through Devolved Land Reforms in Community Lands of Kenya, is funded by the European Union and has supported the surveying of 500,000 acres, leading to the issuance of the title deed.
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FAO Digital Land Governance Programme (DLGP) Manager, Husna Mbaraq, described the handover of the document as a significant milestone in empowering the local community to manage its resources without the risk of conflicts from encroachment or disputed ownership claims.
“This title deed is a historic achievement; it will empower you to manage your land better and make the most of your resources,” she said.
Wayu Daba community celeberating the event with traditional dances. (County press)
Speaking during the handover ceremony at Wayu Daba, she urged the community to protect the wetlands, forests, and environment, noting the potential benefits of investing in beekeeping, livestock rearing, and crop farming.
Husna further expressed her hopes that the DLGP will enhance food and nutrition security, livelihoods, and promote sustainable development through equitable and secure access to, and proper management of, community land.
Tana River County Governor Dhadho Godana, who presided over the event, praised the FAO for the initiative, which he said would transform the community’s future.
He noted that the process, which began in 2014 while he served as a Member of Parliament, had now borne fruit with the official handover of the title deed to the Wayu Daba community.
“The process was initially piloted in Wayu Daba, Madogo, and Kinakomba Gwano, but so far, only this project has come to fruition as the others are still pending,” he said.
FAO, Digital Land Governance Program Manager, Husna Mbaraq addressing the Wayu Daba community during the titlle deed handing over ceremony. (County press)
He encouraged the community to remain united in protecting their land and using it sustainably to improve their livelihoods.
During the event, the Wayu Daba community celebrated with dances and songs to mark the historic achievement of receiving a title deed for their cherished communal land.
According to the FAO, the programme, launched in March 2022, uses GIS technology to enhance data-driven decision-making, improve land transparency, and create an accurate spatial database.
The DLGP has also established structures at national and county levels, including Programme Advisory Committees and County Technical Committees, to support implementation of its activities across all 47 counties in Kenya.
The FAO statement noted that the programme is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Lands and Physical Planning and the Council of Governors.
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