The State Department of Correctional Services has initiated a comprehensive plan to evict squatters from over 4,242 acres of prison land across the country. This effort is being bolstered by the involvement of the National Lands Commission (NLC) in recovering 102 title deeds for parcels of land belonging to the department.
Correctional Services Principal Secretary Salome Beacco credited the Judiciary for expediting court cases, enabling the department to reclaim significant portions of the encroached land. “We have filed suits in court regarding the encroached lands and succeeded in almost all cases, receiving judgments in our favor. We are now embarking on the process of evicting those who have encroached, in line with these judgments,” Beacco stated during a breakfast meeting with the press.
Beacco further revealed that the NLC and the Ministry of Lands have pledged active participation in the land reclamation efforts. “Some parcels of land have been returned, though not as swiftly as we had hoped. However, it is work in progress. We are pleased that the Judiciary has pronounced itself decisively on matters of prison land,” she said.
The PS noted that several cases remain pending in court, but her department will act promptly once rulings are delivered. To safeguard the remaining parcels, the department is documenting, surveying, and acquiring title deeds through an Inter-Ministerial Committee.
The urgency of the initiative is underscored by a report from Auditor General Nancy Gathungu, which estimates the value of encroached correctional land at Sh3 billion. Some parcels have been embroiled in disputes for over three decades.
Notable Cases of Encroachment:
- Kitale Prisons: Approximately 2,321 acres belonging to Kitale Main and Kitale Medium prisons have been occupied by squatters for over 30 years.
- Shimo la Tewa Medium Prison: About 141.24 acres are occupied by settlers.
- Nakuru GK Prison: 21 acres have been taken over by churches and state institutions, despite favorable court rulings.
- Narok GK Prison: 16.18 acres were alienated and allocated to private individuals by the County Council.
- Kitui GK Prison: 4.942 acres are claimed by a church and private individuals.
An inspection by auditors in July 2022 revealed that 2,483.5 acres of land belonging to five sampled correctional facilities are currently occupied by informal settlers. The audit report further disclosed that out of 117 parcels of Kenya Prisons Services land, only 15 have title deeds, including Kitengela, Naivasha, Kamiti, Murang’a, Busia, and Nyahururu prisons.
The State Department aims to expedite recovery efforts to reclaim the land and ensure proper documentation for all parcels under its jurisdiction.
