Lawmakers have scrutinised documents submitted by the State Department on Land and Physical Planning. 

In a meeting chaired by Hon. Joash Nyamoko, the Committee on Lands sought to be updated on the department's mandate, challenges faced, and measures being taken to mitigate these challenges by Hon. Nixon Korir, Principal Secretary.

The State Department cited several challenges, including budgetary cuts, delayed exchequer releases, and inadequate funding. The COVID-19 pandemic and a high number of land litigation cases also slowed down implementation, leading to backlogs. Additionally, reliance on manual land records put pressure on limited physical office space, leading to delayed retrieval of records.

While making his submissions, Hon. Nixon Korir  proposed several measures including enhanced funding, promoting the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms, fast-tracking digitalization of land records and processes, and employing adequate human resource and conducting continuous sensitization forums to create awareness of land-related services.

Regarding the digitization of land records, documents revealed that the State Department had developed the National Land Information Management System (NLIMS), dubbed Ardhisasa, to enhance security of land records, improve access to land-based information, and cut down the cost of land transactions. However Members of the Committee noted that the Ardhisasa platform still had challenges and was not fully operational.

Lawmakers learnt that the 90,830 parcels of land in Nairobi and Central Registries had been converted through the Land Title Conversion Programme.

"The State Department has also processed and issued 1,078,837 title deeds countrywide and settled 26,650 landless households in various counties, including Kilifi, Machakos, Makueni, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Taita Taveta. Additionally, the department acquired land for settlement of squatters/landless households totaling 1,670 households in Kilifi and Mombasa," said PS Nixon Korir.

During the meeting legislators sought clarification on the status of decentralization of land offices a key factor in enhancing services to citizens.

The State Department reported that it had  constructed five land offices in Kitui, Mbeere, Bomet, Olkalou, and Nandi and commissioned new offices in Tana-River, Kiritiri, Marimanti, Uruu/Tigania West, and Rumuruti. 

Additionally, the amendment of Registry Index Maps (RIM) had been decentralized to 26 counties, including Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kitui, Makueni, Machakos, and Kajiado.

Following concerns about missing files and date records, Lawmakers further called for an explanation the reports of intentional removal and relocation of files without proper records and the undocumented movement of files. 

In response, the Principal Secretary, Hon. Nixon Korir, outlined measures to address missing files, including digitization and CCTV cameras for surveillance. Lawmakers welcomed the efforts but stressed the need for increased accountability and oversight to prevent the loss of critical information. The issue of missing files has been a significant concern for the Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development.

Following fruitful engagement with the State Department the National Assembly Committee on Lands plans to carry out inspection visits to regional  land registries to verify and ascertain the progress of digitalization of land records, national titling, and decentralization of land services. 

Members of the Lands Committee present during the meeting were Hon.Joash Nyamoko, Hon. Jane Kihara, Hon. Rachel Nyamai, Hon. Gideon Ochanda, Hon. Omar Mwinyi, Hon. Mathias Robi, Hon. Joseph Gitari, Hon. Ali Wario, Hon. Thuddeus Nzambia, Hon. George Ndung'u, Hon. Anthony Mupe, Hon. Paul Katana and Hon. Hamisi Denar.