Ruto appoints panel to nominate NLC chair, members
Ruto named seven members to the selection panel
1mon agoJAMES GICHIGINews
Politicians who lost in the last general elections or former governors can now fight to be hired as chair or member of the National Land Commission (NLC).
This is after the Selection Panel chaired by Rehema Jaldesa published a new advertisement removing the disqualification criteria that initially locked out the category of politicians.
The Panel on August 27, 2025, stated that in line with section 8 (3) of the NLC Act, a person shall not be qualified for nomination or appointment if that person has at any time within the preceding five years held or stood for election as MP, MCA, or Governor.
However, on Monday, the panel published an addendum calling for applications, clarifying that part 3 (b) shall cease to apply in compliance with a conservatory order issued by the High Court.
“We received a court order that had suspended that particular disqualification criteria, and we have since complied with the decision of the court,” Jaldesa said.
On September 2, 2025, High Court Judge Chacha Mwita issued the temporary orders while setting up September 22 as the date to issue further directions.
“That a conservatory order is hereby issued restricting the Selection Panel from applying section 8(3) of the NLC Act to disqualify any person who has at any time within the preceding five years held or stood for election as MP, MCA, or Governor from applying for the position until September 22, 2025,” Mwita’s order states.
The move now opens doors for politicians to fight for the appointment to the key commission, which is mandated to manage public land on behalf of the county and national governments.
The current commission’s tenure expires in November, having completed a six-year non-renewable term.
NLC Chairperson Gershom Otachi Omwanwa and six other members will exit on November 15, having completed their six-year term.
The members are James Tuitoek, Getrude Nguku, Reginald Okumu, Samwel Kambi, Hubbie Al-Haji, and Alister Mutugi.
However, it is not clear if two of the nine commissioners accepted to forfeit their remaining one year, having been sworn into office a year later.
Former Minister Esther Murugi and former Isiolo Woman Representative Tiya Galgalo were sworn in on December 20, 2020, which means their term was expected to lapse in December 2026.
The inaugural Commission, led by Muhammad Swazuri under the new Constitution, assumed office on February 27, 2013, and exited on November 15, 2019.
Other than Jaldesa who is the chair of the National Gender and Equality Commission, other Selection Panel members include Jasper Mbiuki from the Office of the President, Peris Mang’ira from the Ministry of Lands, NGO representatives Dr Electine Nasambu and Anne Mwangangi, Bibiana Ribuku Omalla (representing the Private Sector) and Nichola Letting (representing Professional Societies of East Africa).
