| dc.description.abstract | For close to a century the majority of Kenyans have lived with
the problems of landlessness and unemployment. Owning a piece of
land in Kenya provides self-confidence, prestige, security in cases
where credit is necessary.
This study begins by providing a chronological account of the
historical and other factors that necessitated the formation of
land buying companies which have been a subject of controversy for
over a decade now. It is pointed out that the alienation of the
African lands to the Europeans during the colonial era which caused
a landless African class together with the individualization of
land ownership have been largely responsible for the formation of
these companies.
The study attempted to highlight some of t.e problems
experienced by land buying companies, taking Muranga District as
the study area. This was done by a literature review which
provided the background information on this subject and on the
study. area. Several kinds of field surveys were found necessary.
These included firstly, a perusal of the company files from the
Registrar of Companies.
Secondly, field visits to the three districts which the
researcher had originally intended to cover. In these districts
files of registers of land buying companies were studied to be able
to identify the existing companies in each district for sampling
purposes. Thirdly, two sets of questionnaires were administered to
all tile commissioners were interviewed.
It was found that the Government has had very little control
over land buying companies. Theyh ave been left largely on their
own in the management of their affairs; the result has been
detrimental, most ending up messing up what they were meant to
achieve due to poor management. Formed between 1963 and 1978 the
majority of these companies never accomplished their mission of
purchasing land and settling members thus leading members through
an unnecessary long journey to the promised land. The land buying .. "
did not succeed in achieving the main
objective of settling their members.
The main recommendations therefore emphasize on the various
ways and means of overcoming problems experienced by land buying
companies. Key among these is on the encouragement of land buying
companies and their affiliation with the Ministry of Lands and
Settlement to gain from professional expertise from ministry
personnel, if they have to solve their many management problems | en |
