A Parliamentary Committee is reviewing  interest in a proposed draft legislation, that seeks to align the law governing dealings in agricultural land with the provisions of the Kenyan Constitution of 2010, the Environment and Land Court Act of 2011, the Land Registration Act of 2012, and the Land Act of 2012.

Committee on Lands chaired by Hon. Joash Nyamoko,(North Mugirango) met with Hon. Dr. Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula) the sponsor of a proposed legislation that seeks to repeal the current Land Control Act Cap, 302, and align the law governing dealings in agricultural land with the provisions of the Kenyan Constitution of 2010 and various laws relating to land.

The draft Land Control Bill of 2023, proposes the establishment of Land Control Committees in each constituency to replace the current Land Control Boards. These committees will be comprised of persons within the locality to enable each proposed transaction to be reviewed soberly, with the aim of ensuring proper utilization of agricultural land for the benefit of all. The committees will also develop alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Moreover, the draft legislation seeks to establish Lands Control Appeals Committees to handle any appeals arising from the decisions of the Land Control Committees. The proposed legislation also contains provisions outlining the transactions that are subject to review, as well as the considerations to be made by the land control committees.

Members of the Committee on Lands, lauded the lawmaker for proposing legislation that will have significant impact on the citizens land transactions.

However, Members of the Committee did propose some amendments. The lawmakers' have raised queries regarding the status of the land and the qualifications of the persons to be on the land control committees.

While making his submissions, the sponsor of the bill, Hon. Dr. Wilberforce Oundo, informed the Committee on Lands that the Bill seeks to rectify the ineffectiveness of the previous land control board.

According to the proposed legislation aims to ensure that the utilization of agricultural land in Kenya is in line with the Constitution and other relevant laws, and that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account.