Bunge La Mwananchi

THE PEOPLE’S LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL LAND POLICY

 

AFRAHA STADIUM NAKURU

ON 26TH JUNE 2009

In the Kenyan history, land issue has been an emotive issue.  To address this problem, the government embarked on the formation of a national land Policy through a widely consultative process with the aim of producing a policy whose vision was to guide the country towards efficient, sustainable and equitable use of land for prosperity and posterity.

After the land sector stakeholders had produced the draft national land policy, the government took so long to table it at the cabinet level for discussion prompting the land sector non state actors to organize the above launch.   As a result, Kenya Land Alliance who are the major players on land sector reforms invited Bunge La Mwananchi – Central Rift Coordinator Mr. Joseph Omondi to assist them in mobilizing wananchi for the launch.



 
The Coordinator contacted the following Bunge Representatives to help in the mobilization;-

1.    Patrick Baraza – Rongai Bunge representative
2.    Mary Wanjiku – Subukia Bunge representative
3.    Mwangi Muraya – Molo Bunge representative
4.    Leonard Githae – Nakuru Bunge representative
5.    Towett Kimaiyo – Kuresoi Bunge representative
6.    Charles Omwanro – Naivasha Bunge representative


The above Bunge La Mwananchi crusaders were able to mobilize around five hundred (500) people who were among one thousand five hundred (1500) who graced the occasion.  Mr. Joseph Omondi, the Central Rift Bunge La Mwananchi Coordinator was able to talk on behalf of Bunge La Mwananchi.

It is comical that the government having realized that the launch was to proceed on 26th June 2009, the cabinet in a bid to pre-empt the launch, passed the National Land Policy paving the way for it to be tabled in parliament.  We, as Bunge La Mwananchi must stay vigil and not celebrate because our


Parliamentarians have proved to be mercenaries for hire.  The big land owners in this country are not in favour of this National Land Policy because some of them acquired those parcels of land fraudulently.  These are guys who can bribe our parliamentarians to reject the land policy when tabled in parliament.

Bunge La Mwananchi Central Rift having discussed with progressive Members of Parliament, e.g. Hon. Eugene Wamalwa agreed to mobilize and ferry our supporters to parliament on the day the National Land Policy will be put on the order paper to put pressure on the legislators to pass it.  Finally, Bunge La Mwananchi would like to appeal to any willing donor to support or partner with us in providing civic education on the National Land Policy as a sign of our national commitment and duty to stop torture, cruel, inhuman, dehumanizing and degrading treatment occasioned by bad land use practices and corrupt land administration and management.  Let’s embrace comprehensive land reforms for sustainable livelihoods.








Compiled by;


Joseph Omondi

Central Rift Bunge La Mwananchi Coordinator