Lands, Public Works, Urban Development and Housing CS Alice Wahome has unveiled an extensive plan aimed at dismantling the entrenched land cartels that have plagued Kenya for decades.
To address the pervasive issue of land fraud and disputes, Wahome has assured Kenyans that the Ministry of Lands is committed to safeguarding property rights by issuing title deeds to all properties by 2027.
This ambitious target is part of a larger effort to digitize land records across the country, a crucial step in enhancing transparency and efficiency in land transactions.
Ardhi House Cartels
The issue of land cartels is not new in Kenya, where double allocations and fraudulent dealings have led to widespread disputes and even forced evictions.
According to CS Wahome, the lands ministry has made significant progress, covering about 30% of the country in terms of issuing title deeds.
However, she has acknowledged that much work remains, particularly in regions with prevalent squatter problems like the coast, where budgetary provisions have been made to address the issue.
To combat these challenges, the ministry has placed a strong emphasis on collaboration with the Judiciary, particularly the Environment and Land Court, to ensure that land disputes are resolved swiftly and fairly.
“It’s unfortunate that we still have double allocation of lands, with recent cases where elderly women have been forcibly evicted due to fraudulent title deeds. Those responsible for such actions must be held accountable, as part of the broader effort to restore order in the land sector.” She says.
A 2023 report by the National Crime Research Centre reveals that only 37% of landowners in Kenya have title deeds, despite widespread land ownership.
This lack of legal documentation is problematic, especially amid rising land grabbing cases. The report highlights that the responsibility for this issue lies with the government, as land registration is a government obligation under the Kenyan Constitution.
Many land owners rely on alternative documents like wills, lease agreements, and allotment letters to prove ownership. The report further emphasized the need for expedited land registration processes and notes a gender imbalance in land ownership, with men being favoured.
Affordable Housing
In addition to addressing land fraud and cartels at Ardhi House, CS Wahome is also focused on delivering on the government’s Affordable Housing Pledge.
Kenya faces a housing challenge, with a housing deficit of two million units as of 2022.
However, Alice Wahome is confident that the government will meet its commitment to building 250,000 units annually for at least four years.
This initiative aims not only to provide affordable housing for low and middle-income citizens but also to create job opportunities for over one million Kenyans.
In February, Wahome announced an ambitious plan to process and issue 420,000 title deeds between 2024 and 2025, a target that aligns with the performance contract signed by her predecessor, CS Zacharia Njeru.
Furthermore, the ministry plans to georeference 40% of all land parcels by 2025, a move that will significantly enhance the accuracy and reliability of land records.
Wahome has also revealed plans to develop a cabinet memo and policy to guide a national multipurpose cadastre in the next financial year, a move that will further strengthen the management of land resources in Kenya.
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