By Betty Luke
Some Isiolo communities have demanded that community land registration be done at the Sub-County level and not in the name of communities living in the 10 wards.
Led by Isiolo Somali Council of Elders, the residents said registering land under the communities’ names would lead to disunity and displacement of some communities especially the minority ones.
The council’s chair Mr Shariff Abdullahi accused those advocating for the ward registration accusing them of being selfish and inconsiderate.
“Those who want the land to be registered at wards level are there to fulfill their personal interests,” he said.
The elder noted that if registered under the three Sub-Counties, all residents including the minority communities would benefit.
“We cannot name or register our community land according to wards or names of communities because all wards have several communities living there,” Mr Abdulahi added.
His sentiments were echoed by the Council’s Secretary General Mr Hassan Idle who said registering land in the wards would displace many people from their ancestral lands.
He said majority tribes will eject the minority if land is registered in their community’s name.
“In every ward, there is a majority community and we fear there will be a crisis if our land is registered in any community’s name,” he added.
The elders said the crisis might in the future escalate to tribal clashes since some leaders might decide to only include their communities in the registration.
They have urged the county government and the Ministry of Lands to ensure their grievances are addressed threatening to move to court if registration is done at the ward level.
“We will be forced to seek legal redress if our sentiments are addressed,” said Mr Idle.
