The Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA) has been directed to urgently secure title deeds for all land under its management, following alarming disclosures that 11 parcels have been irregularly allocated to private individuals.
Appearing before the National Assembly’s Public Investments Committee on Commercial Affairs and Energy, KCAA Director General Emile Arao revealed that the disputed parcels are located at the Central Transmission Station in Mlolongo, Machakos County.
The session, chaired by Pokot South MP David Pkosing, was convened to examine KCAA’s audited financial statements for the fiscal years 2018/2019 to 2021/2022.
"Hon. Chairman, we reached out to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in April 2022 and again in June 2023 to seek assistance in reclaiming the illegally acquired land," Arao told the committee.
He added that the Survey of Kenya had confirmed the irregular allocations and recommended that KCAA initiate legal action to recover the properties.
However, MPs expressed frustration at what they termed a sluggish and inadequate response by the agency in safeguarding public assets.
"Why has it taken you so long to obtain a court injunction to stop further encroachment?" asked Pkosing.
The Committee urged KCAA to act swiftly to protect remaining parcels from further encroachment and ensure accountability in the recovery process.
Laikipia East Mwangi Kiunjuri supported the concern, calling for an on-site inspection to assess the extent of encroachment firsthand.
He warned of a possible scenario where KCAA could face eviction from its own land due to the absence of proper documentation.
“Mr. Chairman, the person who holds the title deed is considered the legal owner. Without it, KCAA could be accused of squatting. This Committee must visit the site and establish the actual status on the ground,” said Kiunjuri.
The situation worsened when it emerged that KCAA lacks title deeds for any of its land in Mlolongo.
Arao told the Committee that even efforts to conduct a land search at the Ministry of Lands had hit a dead end.
“The files are missing. We went to the Ministry for a search, but we’ve received no response. The 11 disputed parcels already have title deeds registered under private individuals,” he said.
This disclosure prompted further questions from Committee members.
Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge questioned the apparent lack of transparency at the Ministry of Lands.
“If digitisation of land records has been ongoing, why is it still impossible to trace these documents?” he asked.
Ganze’s Kazungu Tungule sought clarity on the size of the encroached land.
“You’re saying that from the original 160 acres, the contested 11 parcels only cover about 4 acres? Mr. DG, can you walk us through how this happened?” he asked.
Confirming the figures, Arao responded, “Yes, Chair. The irregularly occupied land adds up to 4.1271 acres.”
Following the session, the Committee unanimously directed KCAA to act without delay to safeguard public land.
“This Committee has resolved that KCAA must immediately place a caution on the 11 disputed parcels at the Lands Registry as you proceed with legal action,” Pkosing ordered.
The Committee also flagged other KCAA projects during the session, including the 31 housing units at Nyali, staff houses in Bamburi and Miritini, and infrastructure at the East African School of Aviation, all of which were marked with audit queries.
