The National Land Commission (NLC) Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Kabale, has called on state agencies to involve the commission from the very beginning of land-related projects. Speaking at a technical workshop supported by the World Bank on land acquisition and resettlement, held at a Nairobi hotel on Tuesday morning, Ms. Kabale emphasized the importance of aligning projects with legal and procedural frameworks to avoid complications later on.
Ms. Kabale stated that early involvement of the NLC ensures that land acquisition and resettlement activities are carried out transparently and within the confines of the law. She explained that the commission’s participation in contract planning and bidding processes enhances accountability and safeguards the interests of all parties involved in land acquisition.
A key focus of the workshop was the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). Ms. Kabale highlighted that NLC’s direct involvement in the preparation of RAPs ensures their compliance with legal requirements and realistic implementation plans. She challenged state agencies to utilize the full range of expertise available at NLC, including planners, surveyors, lawyers, valuers, and cadastral officers, to streamline the land acquisition process.
The CEO also drew attention to the issue of vesting costs, stressing that many land acquisition projects have not been secured because the process is incomplete. “The law requires that the National Land Commission Chairperson vest all acquired land to the National Treasury, which completes the land acquisition process,” Ms. Kabale explained. This step is crucial for ensuring the legal and financial security of the projects being undertaken.
Accompanying Ms. Kabale at the workshop were Ag Director Valuation and Taxation Dorica Buyaki, Deputy Director Finance and Accounts CPA Daniel Mwakio, and Principal Accountant Daudin Hajji, along with other members of the NLC secretariat. Their collective expertise highlights the commission’s commitment to ensuring that land acquisition and resettlement processes are carried out effectively and in line with established legal standards.
