Lands CS Alice Wahome and National Land Commission CEO Kabale Tache during dinner in honour of outgoing commissioners at Sarova Panafric November 13/Handout
The next set of National Land Commission officials will be at the helm by the end of the year, following the conclusion of the six-year term of the current team.
Those whose terms expired by Friday midnight include chairperson Gershom Otachi, vice chairperson Gertrude Nduku, and commissioners Reginald Okumu, Alister Murimi, Hubbie Hussein, Prof James Tuitoek, and Kazungu Kambi. Commissioners Tiyah Galgalo and Esther Murugi still have one year remaining.
Land CS Alice Wahome urged that there be no leadership gap.
“My expectation is that we should have them within
maybe 30, maximum 45 days. I don't see a January without a full commission,”
she said.
Established under Article 67(1) of
the constitution, the NLC manages public land on behalf of national and county
governments and recommends national land policy. Wahome lauded the outgoing
team for shaping ongoing land reforms and ensuring authenticated public land
data through the Ardhi Sasa platform, enabling secure land searches and
transactions nationwide.
Wahome also praised the commission
for facilitating land acquisition for public infrastructure projects, including
roads, railways, water, and energy, while safeguarding the rights of affected
persons. She described the relationship between the NLC and the ministry as
complementary and commended the outgoing commissioners’ well-documented exit
report, which will guide the incoming team.
NLC CEO Kabale Tache noted the
challenges faced when the commissioners joined, including disruptions caused by
COVID-19, and highlighted the transformation achieved in systems, policies, and
public understanding of land governance.
Chairperson Otachi reflected on a
“busy but fulfilling journey,” emphasising strengthened systems and
achievements, and encouraged remaining commissioners to “carry the torch
forward.” Tuitoek highlighted efforts to restore the commission’s image
following corruption cases, noting the implementation of effective systems and
processes that began bearing results in 2021.
The outgoing commissioners also
highlighted accomplishments such as resolving complex historical land
injustices, including Ogiek claims, implementing an alternative dispute
resolution system in Kajiado that has resolved 250 cases, and supporting land-use
planning to protect natural resources, with Lamu County developing the first
county spatial plan under NLC guidance.
National Land Commission CEO Kabale Tache awarding the outgoing chair of the commission Gershom Otachi/Handout
