Residents of Garbatulla, Isiolo to receive long-awaited title deeds

Residents of Garbatulla town in Isiolo County will soon obtain long-awaited land ownership documents as the county government initiates the land adjudication and titling process. Despite being the oldest town in the region, Garbatulla lacks a single title deed, a deficiency that has hindered locals from receiving compensation in the construction of the Horn of Africa Road connecting Isiolo to Mandera through Garbatula and Modogashe towns.

To address this issue, Garbatula landowners have elected a 13-member land adjudication committee. This committee will collaborate with surveyors from the Ministry of Lands to survey all parcels of land and ensure the protection of land earmarked for public utilities.

Isiolo County CECM for Lands, Physical Planning, and Urban Development, Yusuf Dahir, announced that the surveying process commenced yesterday and will cover all land within a five-square-kilometer radius from Garbatula Town's central point. Fully funded by the County Government of Isiolo, the 21-day process aims to survey at least 7,000 parcels of land.

Dahir emphasised that once Garbatula town's land is surveyed and title deeds are issued, a similar exercise will be undertaken in other towns like Kinna, Sericho, and Merti, enabling landowners to obtain crucial land ownership documents.

"Our Governor is fully committed to ensuring every county resident has a title deed. This process is fully funded by his administration, and we will soon extend it to other towns after completing it here in Garbatulla," said CEC Dahir.

Japhet Mutiso, the County Land Adjudication and Settlement officer, highlighted that the elected 13-member committee will collaborate with surveyors from the Ministry of Lands headquarters in Nairobi to ensure a smooth process. He urged the public to cooperate with on-ground officers for an expedited completion of the adjudication.

Area elders, led by former chief Hajj Somo Roba and Duba Kara, commended the County Government of Isiolo, particularly Governor Abdi Guyo's efforts in partnering with the National Government to kickstart the adjudication process. However, the elders cautioned politicians against interfering, recalling past opposition that halted a similar exercise by former Governor Mohamed Kuti.

Hajj Somo emphasised the significance of the process, expressing disappointment that Garbatula, established 12 years before Isiolo, still lacks a single title deed. The elders emphasised that landowners would not be required to pay any fees for the adjudication process.